HOW do you get INTO "stealth" mode?

[James T Kirk USS Enterprise]

welcome,
i have a question for you.

i know a lot about computers, but i am only a beginner when it comes to the subject of networking.
i heard that you have better protection if you are in "stealth" mode.

what does that mean?
but more importaintly, HOW do you get INTO "stealth" mode?

thank you,
sincerely,

[Security]

 

[James T Kirk USS Enterprise]

HEY COLGeek, i wasn't talking about you. your my pal. what happened was that i haven't been on this forum for a really long time so people didn't know me, at least until i ran into Hawkeye22, who is an old friend from way back. i hope you didn't think i was referring to you. no, your cool -- i like you.

Someone Somewhere hi,

wow, awesome info. i didn't know this. i really appreciate the details. now i rest easier knowing that i am not diving into a security risk when i run a program from a legit company.

but not ALL programs that don't pass the windows logo test are safe though, right?

Hawkeye22, can i call you friend?
well at the least you are a interesting person to talk to. dang, we go way back -- i remember talking to you back in the days.

fascinating angle on this subject. i definitely was not aware of that. one of my computers is to slow too run W7, with 256MB and 700MHz, right?

so what exactly do you mean by XP setup? (not online during whole process of XP setup) so if XP is ALREADY installed, and THEN you connect the internet for the first time -- then you are safe?

you are implying that W7 is safer?

wow, a random attack. so there's no safe guard? unless you KNOW what ports you "are" using and block the rest with the custom settings in your firewall.

Hawkeye22, Someone Somewhere is right, because anybody who is worth a grain of salt or knows anything about networks knows that you NEVER leave the default admin password.
but nonetheless it is still a valuable reminder to even the experienced network administrators to remember to do this.
forgetfulness can lead to disaster
as the weakest link in the security element of computers is the human element.

thanks everybody, this is a great discussion here.

SECURITY

 

[Hawkeye22]

fascinating angle on this subject. i definitely was not aware of that. one of my computers is to slow too run W7, with 256MB and 700MHz, right?

so what exactly do you mean by XP setup? (not online during whole process of XP setup) so if XP is ALREADY installed, and THEN you connect the internet for the first time -- then you are safe?

you are implying that W7 is safer?

These are the system requirements for Win 7. Both your CPU and memory fall short of this.

If you already have service pack 3 downloaded, you can keep your computer offline while installing XP. once SP3 is installed then it's safer to go online. This is the route to take if your computer is connected directly to the modem. You can also do as Someone Somewhere said and stick a router (no port forwarding) between your computer and modem so that you can remain online during setup. This is probably the better option since this can apply to any OS install and you don't have to download all your patches in advance.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Frankly, I wouldn't connect a computer directly to the internet - I'd basically always run it through a hardware firewall + NAT.

Largely that's just convenience, because you can run multiple devices over the same connection.

 

[Hawkeye22]

^ +1

Unfortunately there are still some ISP's who send out DIY access kits that only contain a modem, splitter, and a patch cord.

 

[COLGeek]

Agreed, never connect a PC directly to the 'Net. Never. You should always be behind a firewall...period.

Case in point, in 2007-2008, I conducted a study (part of my thesis) regarding internet security. I took a virgin Linux based PC configured as a firewall (with detailed logging enabled) and connected it to my cable modem (for a direct Internet connection).

In less than 5 minutes, the system was probed across a wide range of ports, more than a 1000 times. Most of the threats originated from IP addresses in China and Russia (validated during my analysis).

Using that logic, connecting an XP system directly to the 'Net (without proper protection) would likely result in a breached system. Before connecting any system to any network, I always recommend installing an anti-virus program at the very least.

Also, there is no doubt (to answer an earlier question) that Win 7 is more secure than Win XP. XP has been great, but it really needs to retire now (IMHO).

If hardware limitations prevent one from moving to Win 7 (or higher...), then I would strongly recommend that users consider one of the many Linux distros that are available and offer a much more secure computing environment.

Just more food for thought.

 

[James T Kirk USS Enterprise]

Someone Somewhere hi is you?
when you said:
"I wouldn't connect a computer directly to the internet - I'd basically always run it through a hardware firewall + NAT."

are you talking about a physical firewall device, or is this a software program. it kind of throws me off when you say, AND "+ NAT"

"Largely that's just convenience, because you can run multiple devices over the same connection."
but you can do that with a router too, as there are several slots to place another cord...

Hawkeye22, yo bro,
“who send out DIY access kits that only contain a modem, splitter, and a patch cord.”
i take it this is some sort of "limitation"?

COLGeek, glad to see you again,
thanks for joining the party!!

China and Russia -- interesting. i heard about china, but didn’t know about russia. curious...

“You should always be behind a firewall...period.”
so when you say You should always be behind a firewall, does Win firewall count???

and when a “susposed” technician, as in not that smart, says to you, “yea, since your having trouble installing your device, just make sure to disable your firewall and security program”, what do you say to him, or about this?

i know linux has a higher level of security that other systems, but it seems to me to be rather restricting and limited for the user.
i am a virgin when it comes to linux: i don’t have much experience at all, don’t know “my way around” you might say -- don’t know how to do stuff.
i have never loaded any programs on it. i just sort of LOOKED.

i installed puppy about 5 times, fedora 2 times, and mint 7 3-4 times. i know what it looks like but that is it. locking the whole cd drive and being unable to do certain commands is way out there for me! it didn’t even make sense at first. and then there is whole thing about how you can’t do some commands unless you know the linux language -- oh, boy, this is going to take some time.

think i’ll just stick to windows. at least there i have the dos language memorized.
[looks over at linux, and then wipes the sweat of his brow]

SECURITY

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Hardware firewall is a device (hardware) between you and the internet. NAT is Network Address Translation, used to make multiple computers appear as one IP. Both of these functions are included in most consumer-grade routers.

Windows firewall barely counts.

A modem doesn't have a firewall in it. IMO, ISPs should be sending out real routers if they send out any equipment (though having a PPP bridge mode is good).

 

[James T Kirk USS Enterprise]

thanks Someone Somewhere, glad you,

so your saying that if you ONLY have a modem, then you have no firewall
(not counting software; plus win firewall doesn't really count anyways, as you say, so that if you only have a win firewall,
then you don't really even HAVE a firewall).

but if you have router, then you have a firewall (a real firewall, and not the wimpy, next to useless win firewall), right?

White Hat

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Yes. A modem is just a media converter; it changes DSL/cable/fibre signals into ethernet. A router does a whole lot of layer 3 stuff on top of that.

 

[James T Kirk USS Enterprise]

:lol:thanks Someone Somewhere,

much appreciated.

White Hat