CPU speed, firewalling and TAB's etc

[puntz]

When I asked in the PC forums, is a 233 Mhz CPU and 128 Megs of ram sufficient for a external, firewall?, was advised it is more than enough, and probably not realy the go for normal home computing.
Again we have the dilema, I assume speed is essential to get data out, and many of us connect to the betting agencies to put our bets thru. Again, a non relatable issue to the PC advice forums, but a issue to a punter, relying bets have to be processed efficiently to get out thru the line.

I dont' feel it is right to use a older 486 pc with 32 megs of ram as advised. It just don't feel right. Probably is ok normaly.
So the question basicaly is, would there be a minimum requirement of CPU speed and RAM for external firewall, when speed in this industry is a consideration ?
We only want to get a bet put thru, nothing much more is important, is there...?
Except to win the bet ofcourse.

Comments ?


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: puntz on 2004-01-16 07:10 ]</font>

[becareful]

Puntz,

I am assuming you would be using a Linux PC for your firewall? If so then 486 with 32MB RAM would be fine. The limiting factor on getting the bet out is not the processor speed of the firewall but rather the speed of your internet connection.

[puntz]

Using Linux or any other OS for firewall is not the issue at this point. I think, no matter what PC is used for firewall, they all have basic components in the hardware section.
Connections is ADSL.

This is why I am interested in the "next step",setting up racing computers and ADSL combined and getting it right.

Sure, there are software firewalls to simply install.
But 3rd party software compromised system settings. Therefore an external firewall is the next option ?


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: puntz on 2004-01-31 00:12 ]</font>

[stebbo]

Hi Puntz,

I have been a systems/network administrator in the past, and have done all this work for my current company....

I used to use a wonderful piece of software called iproute for my routing and firewall. It ran on a 286 with only a floppy drive and a hercules monitor... it was a dedicated piece of software... It was a very good firewall.... I believe it's no longer available in it's old form, but is available as the basis of a "dedicated firewall"... you can't go past it as far as I'm concerned.

At home, on the M$ platform, I use Sygate Personal Firewall... It is an excellent piece of software, and more than adequate for my home network... It requires almost no knowledge to setup and use, and I haven't been able to break past it's security yet...

Cheers,
Chris.

[enjay]

G'day Punz, Becareful, Stebbo and all others on this forum.
I run AVG 6 antivirus and Zone alarm firewall,both of which are free for personal use.I was told by a hightech comp. techo that these two are quite sufficient for the everyday user. I am quite happy with both.The antivirus updates automatically and is easy to set up as is the firewall.
My question to you all is, what other type of safety program should one use.????Spyybot, window washer, or some other program that can eliminate tell tale trails and stop spyware....???Would be most interested to hear some views...

Regards Enjay
:-? :-? :-?

[kenchar]

enjay,

Lavasoft- Ad-ware http://www.lavasoft.nu/support/download/

Iv'e used it for ages, and recommend it.

Cheers

[stebbo]

Hi All,

I would strongly recommend NOT to use lavasoft Ad-Aware... I will preface the rest of my statements with the fact that I haven't used it on XP, but I installed an earlier version on win98 and it completely stuffed up my internet access.....

this occurred because it detected a non-standard FTP stack, one that was designed to access the non-standard IP addresses, and when I uninstalled the other program (as recommended by adaware), no more internet... it took some very intricate manoeveres (?) to get my internet back....

If you use a personal firewall... simply remove all permissions for all applications, then watch what applications ask for permission to access the Internet... a little bit of common sense will tell you if you have spyware or a malignant program on your disk.

Cheers,
Chris.

[kenchar]

Chris,

I've been using it for well over a year now and was recommended to me by the guy that builds my computers ( I'm currently running 3 on a home network ) .

I have a lot of friends that use it and everyone are happy with it???????????

cheers

[Shaun]

Lavasoft- Ad-ware is a good program but i have found that it won't find all types of ads if you use the pro version you get a few extra programs like ad watcher but this is not free i have a list of free programs that i provide to anyone that needs security they are the best ther is for free some have all ready been mentioned...one of the mos important programs you need is a trojan scanner...most anti virus programs will not find trojans your firewall will detect one in use but won't remove it....trojans are bad they allowe people to see everything on your computer inclueding passwords account numbers in this list you will find a couple of sites to test your securoty put them to good use
LIST OF FREE SECURITY TOOLS:
FREE ANTI-VIRUS SCANNER: http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php
FREE FIREWALL: http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp
FREE TROJAN SCANNER: https://onesecond-128.bit-encryption.net/swatitdownload.html
FIREWALL & SECURITY TEST SITE: http://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2 Test your firewall after installation.
ANTI-VIRUS TEST SITE: http://www.eicar.org/anti_virus_test_file.htm


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Shaun on 2004-01-17 00:08 ]</font>

[kenchar]

SHAUN,
I'm running the current NORTON anti virus,
doesn't this also pick up trojans ( not worried about the Greeks )

Cheers

[crash]

Abbot: Computer Support Service, how may I help you ?
Costello: Thanks. I'm setting up a home office in the den, and I think I need to buy a computer.
A: Mac ?
C: No, the name is Lou. I need to buy a Computer.
A: Mac ?
C: I told you my name is Lou !
A: What about Windows ?
C: I don't know, what do I see out the windows ?
A: Wallpaper.
C: Never mind the windows and wallpaper, I need a computer and software.
A: Software that runs on Windows ?
C: No, on the computer ! I need something to write proposals, track expenses, you know, run a business. What have you got ?
A: Office.
C: I already have an Office !
A: Office for Windows.
C: I have an office an it already has windows ! Look, lets say I'm sitting in my office at my new Computer and I want to write a proposal. What do I need ?
A: Word.
C: I'm going to need lots of words, but what program do I load ?
A: Word.
C: What word ?
A: The Word in Office.
C: The only word in office is office !
A: The Word in Office for Windows.
C: Which word in ' office for windows ?'
A: The big blue W
C: I'll give you a big blue in a minute ! Forget words for a moment and tell me what I need for Bank accounts ?
A: Money.
C: Yes money, I obviously need money, but how do I track it, you know, loans, and so on. What do you have so I can keep track of it ?
A: Money.
C: Yes thats right, what do you have ?
A: Money comes bundled with your computer.
C: Money comes bundled with my computer ?
A: Exactly. No extra charge.
C: How much money do I get ?
A: Just one copy.
C: I get a copy of money ? Isn't that illegal ?
A: No, we have a license from Microsoft to make copies of Money.
C: Microsoft can license you to make copies of money ?
A: Why not ? They own it. If you buy a computer from us you get it for free.
C: Thats wonderful, I get a bundle of money with my computer, but how about my accounting, do you have software for that ?
A: Simply Accounting.
C: Probably, but it might get a little complicated.
A: You might try M.Y.O.B.
C: What's M.Y.O.B. ?
A: Mind you own Business.
C: I beg your pardon ?
A: No, that would be I.B.Y.P. I said M.Y.O.B.
C: Look, I just need to do some accounting for my Home Business. You know, ACCOUNTING ??? ...you do it with money !!!
A: You might need more.
C: More money ?
A: Yes more than Money. Money can't do everything.
C: I don't need a sermon ! Forget about money for a moment. What do I need if my computer ... what's the word ? Crashes ? How do I restore my Data ?
A: GoBack.
C: Go back ? How many times do I have to repeat myself ?
A: I never asked you to repeat yourself, I said GoBack.
C: How can I go back, I haven't been anywhere ? OK, I'll go back. What do I need to write a proposal ?
A: Word.
C: But I will need lots of words to write a proposal.
A. No, you only need one word to write a proposal, the Word in Office for Windows.
C: I only need one word for a proposal and it's in my office windo... but there is three words in ... OH FORGET IT !!! ...'clunk'.
A: Hello ? Hello ? Why do they hang up ? Oh, to hell with him. What a dummy !

ring...ring....

A: Computer Support Services, how may I help you ?

Cheers.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: crash on 2004-01-17 09:03 ]</font>

[puntz]

http://smoothwall.org/net/
Version 2.0 Express

user friendly external firewall

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: puntz on 2004-01-24 11:37 ]</font>

[puntz]

I am happy to offer "tech. support" and be corrected along the way. Part of a new learning thing and interesting to say the least.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: puntz on 2004-01-31 00:13 ]</font>

[puntz]

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: puntz on 2004-01-31 00:15 ]</font>

[davez]

i have been using windows xp for sometime, & have had no problems whilst using its inbuilt firewall.

also used ad-aware with xp without any problems, however after my browser got hijacked my only saviour was a magic bit of software called 'hijackthis' availiable from -

http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10227352.html

[Chenille Prince]

Anyone notice that the time allotted to your posts on this site is always a few minutes in advance :???:

Doesn't look good if you post a "winner" a few minutes before race time - it could look like you've posted the winner after the race :lol: