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Pastimes : Computer Learning -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Larry S. who wrote (23688)	12/7/2001 9:22:04 PM
From: Fargonaut	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 110655

Hi Larry, I just connected a new Linksys router ($99) to my cable modem and I keep my desktop and laptop going all day. Transferring files from one to the other is just a drag and drop operation onto a desktop icon representing a folder on the other computer. Both machines are running W2000. My cable company (Cableone in Fargo ND) says they don't care if I have more than one machine as long as I am not a big enterprise with dozens of computers. Three or four machines is fine, there is no extra charge because they are basically renting me one IP address. My router uses that address for itself and so the cable company 'sees' only one device at my end. I am going to string cable between rooms and between floors so that the cable modem can serve a computer anywhere in my home. That won't be too tough in this house but I can see where some people would be smart to buy the Linksys (or other) wireless system. As far as security, before I had the router I used Zone Alarm and I would see that I was getting my ports scanned quite a bit. When I installed the router the instructions specifically required that I not use Zone Alarm. I would not need it, I was told, because the router had a 'natural firewall'. I am not sure if this is just the way all routers are made, or if it is "NaturalFirewall (TM)", i.e., something that has to be updated periodically with patches... Maybe somebody on the thread can give me a quick answer on what to watch for, for example, is it ok to leave on file sharing, or not use passwords, etc. I really don't know how I might be vulnerable. Good luck F (I have no connection with any product mentioned)