Sharing Internet between new Desktop and Laptop

Stabilo

MercilessKiller, the trusty firewall is blamed for almost all PC faults (monitor flickers, hard disk noisey, Excel fails to add up ).

I suggest the laptop is incorrectly configured i.e. fixed I.P. rather than server assigned etc. It is possible for the wireless network to be configured correctly and still not obtain an internet connection.

If OP still has problems after disabling firewall PROTECTION they should repost and we could help configure the laptop.

If NAT was disabled on the router (possible for a novice user) surely the pc could be hacked if the software firewall is disabled?

Stabilo.

Slimeball20

I used the Network Connection Wizard within XP on both systems to configure the conneciton properly.

The connection is being picked up by the laptop.

What's NAT? I haven't done anything regarding the router. Just plugged it into my modem with the leads provided and auto-configured using the Network Connection Wizard.

delluver

Slimeball20 wrote:

I used the Network Connection Wizard within XP on both systems to configure the conneciton properly.

The connection is being picked up by the laptop.

What's NAT? I haven't done anything regarding the router. Just plugged it into my modem with the leads provided and auto-configured using the Network Connection Wizard.

Network Connection Wizard cuts out advanced options like any wizard.

wolfman

Slimeball20 wrote:

What's NAT?

Network Address Translation, probably easier to send a pre-written article. Have a look here:
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/nat.htm

With regards to a firewall, I'd run both a software and hardware (router) firewall. Individually they're ok, but together they provide a powerful form of protection. The main downfall with hardware firewalls is that, unless strictly configured, they'll fail all leak tests. You're basically relying on anti-virus and anti-spyware to catch anything, both of which aren't fullproof, especially if it's a program they assume is trusted.

Disable the Windows firewall, and install something like Kerio Personal Firewall v4.2. That way if anything does get on your machine and tries to communicate outwards your software Firewall will catch it. It'll pickup your local network so they're shouldn't be any configuration problems. You'll only have to allow certain things through, such as filesharing, but a prompt will come up asking you. This becomes less so as the firewall becomes more "trained".

Rex_Mundi

Very solid advice wolfman

Browntoa

yep...I'd go with Wolfmans advice as well

Slimeball20

I don't understand about changing firewalls if I have Zone Alarm Pro and my Dad's laptop has Norton Internet Security running?

Does the router have its own firewall that automatically kicks in when it connects to a modem?

wolfman

The router has it's own inbuilt firewall, this is a hardware firewall. You should just be able to leave it as is. As a first line of defence it's great at stopping any nasties getting in.

You should also have a software firewall. This is what you install on your computer and it provides a good second line of defence. Windows XP has one inbuilt, but it's not very good. It's usually best to disable it and use another firewall. If you have ZoneAlarm then stick with it, it's a good software firewall to use.

Slimeball20

Thanks Wolfman,

I am aware of using software firewalls, but I wondered why you were suggesting Kerio when I mentioned that I have Zone Alarm Pro and my Dad has Norton IS.

I can therefore leave on my router and modem even when I'm not using my system so that my Dad can use the Internet then because of the hardware router?

Rex_Mundi

I can therefore leave on my router and modem even when I'm not using my system so that my Dad can use the Internet then because of the hardware router?

I can't remember the last time I turned off my ADSL/router. This way, as soon as I switch on any PCs connected to it. They can go straight onto the internet.