a question on old boxes

Steve
Steve
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Topic 191160

I found an old pc in my garage, I had forgotten I had replaced. It had Norton security last with an expired subscription in 2002.

If I put this machine on my local internet n to crunch numbers, is there any need to update the security? I was planning to erase the email program and only use the browser to manage boinc.

MarkF
MarkF
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a question on old boxes

E@H doesn't require any firewall. If you can load XP the built in fire wall should be enough to protect you.

DanNeely
DanNeely
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Assuming it's a preXP

Assuming it's a preXP machine, install zone alarm as a firewall. It's free, it works, and is reasonably easy to use. the first time an up asks to connect to the net, a popup appears, you click yes/no. WIth no input the connection's denied.

Richard Haselgrove
Richard Haselgrove
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By 'local internet' do you

By 'local internet' do you mean a LAN (local network) behind a router?

If so, the router - hardware - firewall should be enough to protect you, provided you never go near any email.

Vorik
Vorik
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I would suggest to use kerio

I would suggest to use kerio personal firewall 2.1.5, which is also free.

Although it is from 2002, I am using it for years without any problems. It uses less resources than zonealarm or norton, which makes it suitable for older pcs.

Wurgl (speak^Wcrunching for Special: Off-Topic)
Wurgl (speak^Wc...
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RE: I would suggest to use

Message 30251 in response to message 30250

Quote:

I would suggest to use kerio personal firewall 2.1.5, which is also free.

Although it is from 2002, I am using it for years without any problems. It uses less resources than zonealarm or norton, which makes it suitable for older pcs.

Hi all!

You do not need a firewall! It is enough to turn off all ports which are listening to the outside world. If you have a single machine and no private network, I suggest to go to http://www.dingens.org/index.html.en download that tool, turn off all those services which listen to the outside world, reboot the box and you are safe!

Blame Microsoft, that the default installation listens on a lot of ports. Blame them that this is one of the major ways to infect their operating system.

When you install a firewall, then you add another program which may have a defect, and firewalls are written by humans, so they have bugs by default. And it is proven, that you can infect a box with a firewall. Just turn off those services. It is enough and it is at least as safe.

Steve
Steve
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RE: By 'local internet' do

Message 30252 in response to message 30249

Quote:

By 'local internet' do you mean a LAN (local network) behind a router?

If so, the router - hardware - firewall should be enough to protect you, provided you never go near any email.



This was the info I I was hunting. It is LAN and it is behind a router. I felt I didn't need a security on this old box, but I didn't KNOW if I needed spend the $35.00 on it. Thanks tons.

DanNeely
DanNeely
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to be sure, run shields

to be sure, run shields up.

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2
procede
all service ports. IF you don't have anything open, your router's providing an adequate firewall.

Steve
Steve
Joined: 25 Feb 06
Posts: 22
Credit: 538358
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RE: to be sure, run shields

Message 30254 in response to message 30253

Quote:

to be sure, run shields up.

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2
procede
all service ports. IF you don't have anything open, your router's providing an adequate firewall.

Thanks folks. I do have it behind a router and leave nothing but boinc running.

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