>I'm thinking about getting a DSL or Cable modem for home Internet access >and I'm wondering if I >should get some kind of firewall software for >protection. I've only got the one PB3400 so I won't >have File Sharing >turned on but I am concerned about the always on network connection making >my >computer at risk.
Yes they sell firewall software for macs, but there are a couple reasons you likely don't need it. - like the other poster said, most attack attempts are probing ports that you just don't have open on your Mac. Even turning filesharing on, since the cable guys almost certainly will not support native appletalk you're not even going to have a network presence unless you buy/enable AppleshareIP server (which routes appletalk over TCP/IP). Turning filesharing on thus shouldn't hurt your security- no one is going to be able to see the filesharing anyway. -for the price of Norton Personal Firewall (about $60-70 IIRC), you can get yourself a dandy router/firewall hardware solution, which is much to be preferred. The Linksys BEFSR41 routes Appletalk locally over ethernet, and the NetGear MR-314 wireless router routes appletalk over both wireless and LAN ethernet ports. Costs run $50-80. Might as well get something that will let you hook up other computers later, put up your own ftp server or mailserver, go wireless, etc. for the same amount of money. Be aware not all wireless routers route appletalk over both the ethernet AND wireless ports- most Linksys WAP's for example will route ethertalk over the RJ45 jacks, but not over wireless (the Netgear model I mention will route ethertalk over both). A hardware router will also let visiting friends use their laptop on your cable modem readily. You control the DHCP so you would not have to call the cable provider and validate a second MAC address (most broadband providers make you provide a MAC address for any computer you want hooked up now, with a hardware router in place they just see the one MAC address for the router and you do what you want on your side). HTH. I <heart> my cable access. :) Brian -- PowerBooks is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PowerBooks list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/powerbooks.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/powerbooks%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
