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re: Firewalls, antivirus software and USB modem Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 6:09 am Posted by Larry (1297 messages posted) I never use USB connections to a broadband modem, having had too many similar issues in the past. I suggest using an Ethernet connection only. Almost all modems have an Ethernet port and so do most PCs, and even if your dads doesn't you can get an Ethernet card very cheap. Uninstall the proprietary USB support software supplied with the modem, then power everthing down including the modem. Plug in your CAT5 Ethernet cable to both units and power up the modem first, then the PC and you should be good to go. On Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 4:14 am, Denise wrote: >I installed broadband for my dad last September. Unfortunately he signed up with >TalkTalk before I could stop him and it was a nightmare to set up but eventually >got it going. Downloaded AVG on Saturday and then couldn/t get online so removed >it and was OK again. Then downloaded TalkTalk's own online security assuming it would >be compatible but now can only get online if I unplug his modem (USB connection) >once the computer has booted. He can then get on and off OK until he shuts the computer >down/restarts it when he has to unplug it again. Sounds like a firewall issue to >me but Me doesn't have its own firewall and I've removed both AVG and TalkTalk antivirus >so none there either. All TalkTalk could suggest was to reload the Modem which made >no difference. Any ideas...please???? [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Firewalls, antivirus software and USB modem Friday, March 23, 2007 at 2:58 am Posted by Denise (2 messages posted) Thanks for that, Larry. I'll give it a try. I never thought about the USB bit - all other broadbands I've set up have been with networks so have always had ethernet connections via routers and hubs. Have learnt something tho - the so-called experts on the helpdesk don't always know more than you do! On Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 5:09 am, Larry wrote: >I never use USB connections to a broadband modem, having had too many similar issues >in the past. I suggest using an Ethernet connection only. Almost all modems have >an Ethernet port and so do most PCs, and even if your dads doesn't you can get an >Ethernet card very cheap. Uninstall the proprietary USB support software supplied >with the modem, then power everthing down including the modem. Plug in your CAT5 >Ethernet cable to both units and power up the modem first, then the PC and you should >be good to go. > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Firewalls, antivirus software and USB modem Friday, March 23, 2007 at 5:52 am Posted by Larry (1297 messages posted) Remember to download a firewall program to the desktop for installation while the PC is diconnected from the net. I like ZoneAlarm myself, but the latest versions only work on 2K or XP. You can get Win9X versions at oldversion.com, v6.1 being the last version compatible with ME and still perfectly usable and effective. Download AVG again if you've deleted it either to the desktop for later installation also, or after you've reconnected to the net. For more protection from malware, I would add at least SpywareBlaster from javacoolsoftware.com, a small but highly effective "passive" program, and perhaps even Spybot Search & Destroy. On Friday, March 23, 2007 at 1:58 am, Denise wrote: >Thanks for that, Larry. I'll give it a try. I never thought about the USB bit - all >other broadbands I've set up have been with networks so have always had ethernet >connections via routers and hubs. Have learnt something tho - the so-called experts >on the helpdesk don't always know more than you do! > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Firewalls, antivirus software and USB modem Thursday, March 29, 2007 at 3:08 am Posted by Ed (603 messages posted) I recommend taking one step at a time! Make sure that you've cured the problem with the broadband connection first, before going on to tackle the firewall problem. I agree that ZoneAlarm is a useable product. But get the *oldest* version you can that's compatible with Windows 98, not the newest, at http://www.oldversion.com. A version marked as being for use on Windows 98 will still work on Win ME, which is merely an enhanced "third edition" of Windows 98. Firewalls do not require upgrading! All that ZoneAlarm have done in each successive version is add useless bloatware to the product, making it harder and harder to use, and gobbling up system resources uselessly. And when you have a firewall running, don't run an anti-virus program as well. Do scan any downloaded files, with the anti-virus program, before running them; but the firewall will keep you safe while you are on-line, you don't need the anti-virus program running (in live mode) as well. The combination of the two running together will seriously slow down your computer, as it will use a lot of system memory and CPU time. Ed On Friday, March 23, 2007 at 4:52 am, Larry wrote: >Remember to download a firewall program to the desktop for installation while the >PC is diconnected from the net. I like ZoneAlarm myself, but the latest versions >only work on 2K or XP. You can get Win9X versions at oldversion.com, v6.1 being the >last version compatible with ME and still perfectly usable and effective. Download >AVG again if you've deleted it either to the desktop for later installation also, >or after you've reconnected to the net. For more protection from malware, I would >add at least SpywareBlaster from javacoolsoftware.com, a small but highly effective >"passive" program, and perhaps even Spybot Search & Destroy. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Firewalls, antivirus software and USB modem Friday, March 30, 2007 at 2:15 pm Posted by Peter (195 messages posted) Often overlooked-Internet Explorer is very vulnerable to malware and it's a major boost in security to use something like Firefox instead.It's a more capable browser anyway. On Thursday, March 29, 2007 at 2:08 am, Ed wrote: >I recommend taking one step at a time! Make sure that you've cured the problem with >the broadband connection first, before going on to tackle the firewall problem. > >I agree that ZoneAlarm is a useable product. But get the *oldest* version you can >that's compatible with Windows 98, not the newest, at >target=_blank>http://www.oldversion.com. > >A version marked as being for use on Windows 98 will still work on Win ME, which >is merely an enhanced "third edition" of Windows 98. > >Firewalls do not require upgrading! All that ZoneAlarm have done in each successive >version is add useless bloatware to the product, making it harder and harder to use, >and gobbling up system resources uselessly. > >And when you have a firewall running, don't run an anti-virus program as well. Do >scan any downloaded files, with the anti-virus program, before running them; but >the firewall will keep you safe while you are on-line, you don't need the anti-virus >program running (in live mode) as well. > >The combination of the two running together will seriously slow down your computer, >as it will use a lot of system memory and CPU time. > >Ed > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Firewalls, antivirus software and USB modem Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 11:39 am Posted by Ed (603 messages posted) Peter, this thread has nothing to do with Internet Explorer or malware. Please do not post inappropriate advertising for Firefox in threads which have no connection with your personal issues with Microsoft. Ed On Friday, March 30, 2007 at 1:15 pm, Peter wrote: > >Often overlooked-Internet Explorer is very vulnerable to malware and it's a major >boost in security to use something like Firefox instead.It's a more capable browser >anyway. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Firewalls, antivirus software and USB modem Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 11:47 am Posted by Peter (195 messages posted) It was a point worth mentioning nevertheless. You have only to look through the forums-regardless of operating system-to see how many problems IE users have.I have no connection with FF and have no axe to grind about its use .People will quite simply have fewer problems if they quit IE and I'll let the matter rest at that. On Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 10:39 am, Ed wrote: >Peter, this thread has nothing to do with Internet Explorer or malware. > >Please do not post inappropriate advertising for Firefox in threads which have no >connection with your personal issues with Microsoft. > >Ed > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Firewalls, antivirus software and USB modem Monday, April 2, 2007 at 5:59 am Posted by Larry (1297 messages posted) "Despite Mozilla's ongoing security efforts, Firefox has come under intense scrutiny from Michal Zalewski, a well-known independent security researcher who has published a collection of previously undiscovered vulnerabilities in the browser during the month of February. And on the eve of Mozilla's release of the revamped browser, dubbed Firefox 2.0.0.2, Zalewski published information about yet another flaw in the product involving a memory corruption issue that could allow attackers to take control of computers running the software. Phishing and spoofing threats are among the attacks likely to be aimed at the latest issue, according to Zalewski." http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/02/23/HNbrowservuln_1.html On Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 10:47 am, Peter wrote: >It was a point worth mentioning nevertheless. You have only to look through the forums-regardless >of operating system-to see how many problems IE users have.I have no connection with >FF and have no axe to grind about its use .People will quite simply have fewer problems >if they quit IE and I'll let the matter rest at that. > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Firewalls, antivirus software and USB modem Monday, April 2, 2007 at 6:08 am Posted by Peter (195 messages posted) These have been addressed.Current FF version is 2.0.0.3 The main point is that to many creators of Malware,Microsoft is fair game, it is the target.Add to that the market share of IE and the result is that the risk of infection is drastically lower with FF. On Monday, April 2, 2007 at 5:59 am, Larry wrote: >"Despite Mozilla's ongoing security efforts, Firefox has come under intense scrutiny >from Michal Zalewski, a well-known independent security researcher who has published >a collection of previously undiscovered vulnerabilities in the browser during the >month of February. And on the eve of Mozilla's release of the revamped browser, dubbed >Firefox 2.0.0.2, Zalewski published information about yet another flaw in the product >involving a memory corruption issue that could allow attackers to take control of >computers running the software. Phishing and spoofing threats are among the attacks >likely to be aimed at the latest issue, according to Zalewski." http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/02/23/HNbrowservuln_1.html > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] Tip: Use one of the [Reply or follow-up to this message] links above to add a message to this thread Search this forum Start a new thread on a different subject Report abuse of the forum Return to the Windows Me Discussion Forum