Should I be upgrading my PC's security?

Sugar_Junkie

I could use a bit of advice. I'm moving house in the next few weeks where I'll be forced onto the already present wireless network. I'm not overly happy about it as I know very little about them and have concerns over their security but anyway.. I've no choice.. sooo..

What I wanted advice on is if I should beef up my PC's security? I was reading over the sticky on security and noticed how much some people use. Am I being a bit lax?

I currently use Win XP and the Windows Firewall. I always have AVG and Spyware Blaster running, and run Spybot and Ad-aware at least once a week. I use Firefox as my browser and Thunderbird for emails, and make sure everything is updated regularly. I've never had or found any problems apart from tracking cookies, but in view of the soon to be wireless connection I'll have and knowing that the person whose connection I'll be using isn't the best at PC security I'm a tad worried.

Does anyone have any suggests where I might improve? Or am I doing enough to continue to be trouble-free?

albertross_2

just make sure the wireless signal is encrypted with WPA-PSK

Browntoa

I would replace hte built in Xp firewall with a real free one such as Kerio

http://www.download.com/3000-10435_4-10543979.html (says 30 day trial but this is just some extra's you will never need, it remains fully working after 30 days)


or Comodo

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

the built in windows firewall is not very good !!

Sugar_Junkie

Thanks for the replies.

I will try to find out if it's encrypted when I get it hooked up - although I have no idea what that means. I'm sure if I poke about enough I'll find some info.

I will certainly change my firewall too if the Windows one is rubbish. I best do that on my OH's PC too I guess as he uses the same. Are both those easy to use Browntoa? I'm a techno noob when it comes to firewalls and ports etc.., hence I've been using the Windows one. I like that it just asks me to say yes or no when things try to connect.

superscaper

Sugar_Junkie wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

I will try to find out if it's encrypted when I get it hooked up - although I have no idea what that means. I'm sure if I poke about enough I'll find some info.

I will certainly change my firewall too if the Windows one is rubbish. I best do that on my OH's PC too I guess as he uses the same. Are both those easy to use Browntoa? I'm a techno noob when it comes to firewalls and ports etc.., hence I've been using the Windows one. I like that it just asks me to say yes or no when things try to connect.

Not sure I understand about connecting to an existing wireless network. Who owns the wireless router? If you have no choice in whether it's encrypted and you find out it isn't you're better off not connecting to it at all.

As for firewalls they all pretty much ask about different apps connecting, what makes windows firewall rubbish is that it doesn't check outgoing data only incoming.

DonDon_3

If the wireless router is Sugar_Junkie's and it has a built-in firewall doesn't that negate the need for a firewall on the PC's?
Don

superscaper

DonDon wrote: »

If the wireless router is Sugar_Junkie's and it has a built-in firewall doesn't that negate the need for a firewall on the PC's?
Don

No, having a hardware firewall doesn't negate the need for a software firewall. For example, the exact reason I gave for windows firewall being rubbish wouldn't be solved by a hardware firewall. Hardware firewalls are typically good for attacks against the network in general but every pc on the network should also ideally have it's own software firewall.

Sugar_Junkie

Hmm ok. I clearly need to sort out a better firewall for my computer than the Windows one then.

I'm moving in with OH's parents for a few months. They already have BB set up but it's all wireless. I've never trusted it so never bothered with it myself, but if I want to get on the internet I'm going to have to use it when I move in. It's my OH's dad that owns the router but I'm not very convinced of how much he will have bothered with network security (I don't think he takes it very seriously) so any advice you can offer I'm very grateful for. As I say I know !!!!!! all about firewalls and what needs to be done to protect my system on a wireless network. Thanks!

espresso

See post #2

DonDon_3

Hi superscaper,

What sort of outgoing stuff would you expect the firewall to be checking?

Cheers
DonDon

superscaper

It would check everything but if you got any malware or virus on your pc it could send out data (such as a record of all your typing) and windows firewall would allow it. Most decent firewalls would tell you if a program is trying to send data out and then you can block it if you feel it is suspicious or don't recognise the program.