Hi Gang

I have the following; 3 PC's running Windows 2000 Pro, 1 Mac running OS 9.2.2 and OSX, a Lexmark laser printer with a network card built-in and last, but not least a newly aquired high-speed connection.

Last week I had everything hooked-up to my 3-Com 8 port hub and within a week the PC's were so full of trojan horses and virus's, I ended up having to re-format them all and disconnecting the high-speed!

Obviously, I need some sort of protection. I would appreciate any advice on what I might need in terms of a firewall. I did try the free Zone Alarm for a couple of days, but found that I kept getting messages asking for OK's, even though I set it to automate everything. This really isn't suitable for my kids as they will click on anything just to get it off the screen!

I am wondering if hardware isn't the way to go. Any suggestions (brands, model numbers etc) would be greatly appreciated on what I should get to get set-up properly.

Thank you, Glenn

Glenn, check out the results of the current front page survey on software firewalls. Zone Alarm is in the lead with Outpost second.

In terms of a hardware/firmware based firewall type of unit, I'd suggest a cost-effective something like Linksys.

Thanks Paul, I picked up a Linksys router, very nice. Should I still install Zone Alarm? or is that overkill or un-necessary?

Thanks, Glenn

I use both, and there is a special feature between the two if activated. They talk to each other, and if ZA doesn't respond back, Linksys doesn't allow that PC to access the Net offering another layer of security.

Paul , thanks again for the reply. I'll look into ZA.

Maybe I could ask your help on one other issue. I am unable to get my Mac G4 to see the router
( BEFSR41) none of the lights on the panel light up at all when I plug the Mac in. The Mac TCP/IP is set-up for auto DHCP as described by an article I saw in MacWorld. Any tips you might be able to suggest or where I might look for information on this?

Thanks again, Glenn

Try a different port on the Linksys, that or the CAT5 cable you are using might be bad.

Paul

I actually solved my own problem. It seems that when one uses port #1, you cannot use the 'uplink' port at the same time as it is a shared port. I am actually unhappy about this as it is really only a '3 port' hub in this case. No mention of it on the package! They should make this clear.

I had a cable running from the uplink port to a hub, while plugging my Mac into port #1. As soon as I unplugged the uplink cable all the lights came on.

Thanks for all your help though. Glenn

Glad its all working again.