On Thursday 17 October 2002 05:32 pm, FemmeFatale wrote:
> At 02:55 PM 10/17/2002 -0400, you wrote:
> >I must heartliy disagree here. If you're going to be connected via DSL or
> >Cable connection the only prudent thing to do is errect a "real" firewall.

Agreed.

[snip]

> heh And i'm not stupid.  But my (un)related question is: How do you
> determine if you need a gateway? Or a comp that acts as one as well as a
> firewall.  I was reading MDK"s site for docs & it says (in my case from
> what i got) I don't need one.  Someone care to enumerate clearer & more
> concise guidelines? Ty

You need a firewall.  Think of it as being a good neighbor.

Granted, you may have nothing you consider of interest on your hard drive.  
Granted, linux is not the target of choice amongst the s'kiddies.  There is a 
(very small) danger is that someone who has a clue will crack your box and 
use it to crack others.  At that point, there's an (even smaller) chance that 
you'll get to explain your approach to security to the FBI or local 
equivalent.

So, do a cost/benefit analysis -- a small amount of exposure vs an old Pentium 
firewall (with attendent bother of setting it up) or a $51 Linksys 4-Port 
Cable/DSL Router (price after rebates on Amazon, may be other cheaper 
products, the 1-port is only $47).

>
> ---
> Femme

Barry

Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft? 
Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com

Reply via email to