Question by Mr.X: What are the safest home pc network settings if youre not planning to network at all?
I do not want to allow anyone even if they have my password and IP address to access my computer.I have a wired DSL connection /modem.It says im on a network2(home) what exactly does that mean Is that referring to my modem only? I am running Vista home edition
Best answer:
Answer by John S
You are networked, if you are accessing the internet at all.
The only difference is the type of network.
IF you are physically connected to a DSL modem using a wire, then your computer is DIRECTLY networked to the INTERNET. You have a “Public IP Address” which is part of the internet.
Vista’s firewall will protect you to a certain degree from anyone being able to monitor you. BUT, no matter what you do, your computer is publicly available , that is, it has a public IP address that it got from the DSL modem.
IF you want to secure that a bit more.. then you should at the very least buy a ROUTER. A Router will do 2 things. 1) Put a second firewall between you and everyone else on the internet. 2) Give your computer a private IP address as a opposed to a public one. This means that your Router is publicly facing the internet and your computer is hidden behind the router. No one can see your computer, only the router.
Think of it as the difference between living on the street and living in a house. The house protects you and people can’t see what you do in your house. If you live on the streets.. you are visible to everyone.
IF you are paranoid about people hacking your router.. then disable Wireless, so they have to physically connect to the router in order to attack your system.
Hide the router in an out of sight spot.
Having a Router will increase security.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!