Symantec To Acquire Sygate Technologies

[Protocol]

Symantec has announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Sygate Technologies. Not sure what it will mean for the Sygate products such as Sygate Personal Firewall.
Read all about it here (http://www.sygate.com/) and here (http://www.symantec.com/press/2005/n050816a.html).

[acushla]

Symantec has announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Sygate Technologies. Not sure what it will mean for the Sygate products such as Sygate Personal Firewall.
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One good thing about Firewalls...there are lots of quality applications to choose from.

[Protocol]

One good thing about Firewalls...there are lots of quality applications to choose from.
Yes. Well since SP2, the only software firewall I have been using is Windows Firewall.

[acushla]

Yes. Well since SP2, the only software firewall I have been using is Windows Firewall.

According to some...not a particularly good choice as it does not monitor anything going out from your computer.

[Protocol]

According to some...not a particularly good choice as it does not monitor anything going out from your computer.
Yes. I have heard that argument before, but my argument is that a clean system does not need to block anything outgoing.
It does however, still block unsolicited requests by programs. In this instance, you are presented with a window to either "Keep Blocking", "Unblock" or "Ask Me Later".

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/images/sp2/sp2_wfoverv2.jpg

[Toe]

According to some...not a particularly good choice as it does not monitor anything going out from your computer.
Debatable. Hardware firewalls don't do any outbound scanning either...

[acushla]

Debatable. Hardware firewalls don't do any outbound scanning either...

My only response to this is a message I once received asking me it I wanted 'not certain of name now' to access the Internet.

Since I had no idea what it was I clicked the 'info' tab and was informed that under no circumstances allow this to access the Internet as it was some type of virus.

It has only happened once...but that was enough to make me think that having a firewall that monitors activity both ways is preferable.

Besides...can't do any harm.

[Protocol]

My only response to this is a message I once received asking me it I wanted 'not certain of name now' to access the Internet.

Since I had no idea what it was I clicked the 'info' tab and was informed that under no circumstances allow this to access the Internet as it was some type of virus.

It has only happened once...but that was enough to make me think that having a firewall that monitors activity both ways is preferable.

Besides...can't do any harm.
Not exactly correct. Software firewalls are responsible for many connectivity issues. They cause ISP help desks a lot of heartache. They also stifle PC performance.

Did you see the point I made earlier about keeping a clean system?

[acushla]

Not exactly correct. Software firewalls are responsible for many connectivity issues. They cause ISP help desks a lot of heartache. They also stifle PC performance.

Did you see the point I made earlier about keeping a clean system?

You know...this might explain a few issues I had with WinMX and now with eMule...namely my inability to make a TCP connection.

Not now (since I am downloading), but sometime soon I will turn off Sygate and use the Windows Firewall and see if that makes a difference.

Thanks for the suggestion. :)

Edit: How exactly do you define a 'clean system'?

[biggman15]

You know...this might explain a few issues I had with WinMX and now with eMule...namely my inability to make a TCP connection.

Not now (since I am downloading), but sometime soon I will turn off Sygate and use the Windows Firewall and see if that makes a difference.

Thanks for the suggestion. :)

Actually, if you wanted too... You can open a hole on the ports that the FileSharing program uses...I wouldn't reccomend it... I hate holes.... But That's the Primary reason I use limewire... It requires no configuration of My Firewall... Limewire connects and talks fine... but other people can't download from me... :biggrin:


I also don't need the resource hog side of My Firewall... So I didn't install it... I Prefer the Simplicity of Just Keeping people out... My Firewall Runns Stealth... All ports are Off... And they don't respond... I'm sure it's not perfect... But uses little Resources and My computer has Been Clean since I installed it...

[Toe]

They cause ISP help desks a lot of heartache.
They cause heartaches at more helpdesks than just the ones at ISPs. :P

For the record, I no longer run a software firewall, and just use my router's built-in firewall feature. Now if I could just offload my antivirus duties the same way! :cheeky:

[Protocol]

They cause heartaches at more helpdesks than just the ones at ISPs. :P

For the record, I no longer run a software firewall, and just use my router's built-in firewall feature. Now if I could just offload my antivirus duties the same way! :cheeky:
Ditto. ;)

[acushla]

They cause heartaches at more helpdesks than just the ones at ISPs. :P

For the record, I no longer run a software firewall, and just use my router's built-in firewall feature. Now if I could just offload my antivirus duties the same way! :cheeky:

This is the week I am going to purchase a router...however I do have two questions.

1) Roj maintains that you should ONLY purchase a wired router...but if I want to use my laptop in the studio and not have it wired to the router then I assume I have to own a wireless router.

2) Do different routers have different quality firewalls built in?

[Tokelil]

Most wireless routers come with build-in switch so you can use it for both wireless and wired networking.
The biggest problem with wireless IMO, besides range, is that transfer speed is really low even on a 54 Mb/s router. It's not usefull for transfering large files if time is a consern IMO. (Esp. when doing wireless to wireless transfers)

Yes different routers use different software, so the build in firewalls are different. Not sure who makes the best ones though, since Im not too conserned about that stuff atm.
Linksys is good bet though IMO for a wireless router (though most of their models looks quite bad) since they are Cisco's cheap consumer brand and their firmware is open-source. (The router Im running is actually running Linux)

I guess Roj only wants wired because of security?
If security is a very big consern I have to agree. The protection schemes for wireless is probably breakable for professional data thieves. (Though a 128 bit WEP encryption scheme will take a long time and some nasty machine power to break in reasonable time)

[Protocol]

This is the week I am going to purchase a router...however I do have two questions.

1) Roj maintains that you should ONLY purchase a wired router...but if I want to use my laptop in the studio and not have it wired to the router then I assume I have to own a wireless router.

2) Do different routers have different quality firewalls built in?
Always have at least one PC hard wired in your network. Nothing wrong with having wireless as long as you secure it. WPA Pre-shared Key is the preferred method of security and is very simple to set up. Most modem / routers still support the older and less secure WEP. You will find these settings in your modem / router if you buy one with wireless support. Firewall functionality is very similar with each router but the interfaces vary. Although they are popular, I always find D-Link routers a bit awkward for port forwarding, so I usually avoid them. The two things to look for in the firewall department are NAT (Network Address Translation), which enables a LAN to use one set of IP addresses for internal traffic and a second set of addresses for external traffic and Universal Plug and Play (UPnP). UPnP will save you the trouble of port forwarding in some instances.

[Tokelil]

Scratch what I said about WEP. WEP is flawed and can be broken in a few minutes through Related-key attack (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Related-key_attack). (thought it was WPA that had this flaw... :o )

WPA Pre-shared Key is the preferred method of security and is very simple to set up.For a fast read on WPA/WPA-2/WEP have a look at wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_Protected_Access
Going with new equipment, WPA-2 seems to be the way to go due to better encryption scheme.

[acushla]

This appears to be all very good advice, and it is certainly appreciated. :)

It does, however, give rise to a couple more questions.

When WPA Pre-Shared Key is mentioned as a preferred method of security...is this a function of the router or is it a separate item?

For the record...the plan is to have my desktop PC hardwired to the router while the laptop would be free to move around the studio. As the studio is 1000 sq feet I am assuming distance is not a factor.

Do different models feature different 'signal capture' strength as well as different ranges? What I mean by 'signal capture' is the ability of the laptop to stay connected...as opposed to a fluctuating signal that might cause the laptop to become 'disconnected'. If you know what I mean.

I will not be doing any downloads on the laptop, so that is not an issue.

Right now my understanding is that I should be purchasing a wireless router that has or supports a WPA - 2 Pre-shared key, features a firewall that has NAT and also has UPnP.

Since D-Link and Linksys are not rated highly perhaps someone could tell me some names that are considered quite good. While money is really not an issue...quality certainly is.

[Toe]

When WPA Pre-Shared Key is mentioned as a preferred method of security...is this a function of the router or is it a separate item?
It's something that's built into both the router and the wireless adaptors. Basicly, it's just a password system. You set the same password (the Pre-Shared Key) on the router and any wireless adaptors you want to access your network. The key can be 8 to 64 characters long, preferably a random sequence of letters, numbers, and symbols.

As far as brands go, let's say this: no consumer-grade gear is exactly what I'd call wonderful. Most of them are running Broadcom chipsets with some form of Linux. I run a Belkin 7230-4 (http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=201522&pcount=&Product_Id=136493). It can be modded to run at 125Mbps. I bought it because it was $15, not because it's an awesome router. Linksys WRT54G's are popular with modders because you can upload new firmware to them that enables a lot more features.

[Protocol]

I think Toe has answered most of your last questions. Not sure where someone said that Linksys is not highly rated though.
As far as WPA2 goes. I haven't seen any modem / routers around that supports this yet though there could be as I haven't really been shopping for them lately. I really think WPA is more than enough for a home network.

Browse around and see what you find.

[Tokelil]

I think Toe has answered most of your last questions. Not sure where someone said that Linksys is not highly rated though.
As far as WPA2 goes. I haven't seen any modem / routers around that supports this yetThe Linksys WRT54G does. (Have one) Quite a popular router though it or my network card (also Linksys) is giving me quite a headache atm. :( My friend who is also connected to it has no problems what so ever, soo...

[acushla]

I really appreciate all of the input I was given.

I feel confident enough now to go out and purchase a router...knowing what I need.

Thanks. :) :beer:

[Protocol]

I really appreciate all of the input I was given.

I feel confident enough now to go out and purchase a router...knowing what I need.

Thanks. :) :beer:
No bad for a thread about Symantec acquiring Sygate Technologies. :laugh: :silly: :beer:

[Toe]

No bad for a thread about Symantec acquiring Sygate Technologies. :laugh: :silly: :beer:
Wait, what? Symantec is aquiring Sygate?
:shocked:

[acushla]

Wait, what? Symantec is aquiring Sygate?
:shocked:

I know you're both just having a 'kick at the gong' :) but in fairness one could think of it as Symantec aquiring a 'firewall program' which, in a long stretch, would justify a morph into routers! :laugh:

[Protocol]

I know you're both just having a 'kick at the gong' :) but in fairness one could think of it as Symantec aquiring a 'firewall program' which, in a long stretch, would justify a morph into routers! :laugh:
What firewall program? :scared:

[Rex_Mundi_Incarnit]

A firewall built into a network card, now that is something!

[acushla]

So I bought my Wireless Router'...would have bought the Linksys WRT54G...but they were out of stock.

Patience is definitely not a character strength in me...so I ended up buying it's bigger brother...WRT54GS...which I assume is the 54g with a SPEEDBOOSTER added on. The fact that it was on sale at $40.00 of certainly made the decision a painless one as this now made it less expensive than the one I went to buy. Anyway...I have 30 days to return it...so if I'm not happy...

I got it home and opening the box saw the installation disc...with the NORTON INTERNET SECURITY logo very prominent. I know this usually works...free trial period then buy. I'm thinking this had better not be the firewall.

Anyway...turns out I have two ways to set up...using the 'quick install' disc (recommended) or manually by logging on to a site they have set up. I decided to do it manually...figured I might learn more that way (and there would be no possibility of NORTON :grimreape somehow downloading itself!) ..and everything went smoothly. I then turned on the laptop and without too much trouble was able to connect (apparently a new version of OPERA was awaiting me) so I downloaded it...my first download on wireless. Yeah!!!

Now I do have a little problem (there is 24 hour tech support) as the next time I turned on my computer I was informed that BeatNik Clock had been refused access to the web (it probably was trying to connect to the atomic clock)...I dug around and realized I have no idea where I go on the computer to change any of these settings.

Anyway...it's all good...

I should end by saying that the knowledge I gained in this thread was enough to make me realize the salesperson who was trying to sell me something else really had no idea what he was talking about as I was able to ask some questions to which he just went blank. I worry for the other people he serves.

So again, thanks. :) :beer:

[biggman15]

I should end by saying that the knowledge I gained in this thread was enough to make me realize the salesperson who was trying to sell me something else really had no idea what he was talking about as I was able to ask some questions to which he just went blank. I worry for the other people he serves.

I coulda told ya that... When I go shopping and Notice someone is being MisInformed... I make a Point of Butting in.... :)

[Toe]

which I assume is the 54g with a SPEEDBOOSTER added on.
Correct, though I'm pretty sure I'm pretty sure it's actually possible to enable it on a regular 54g.

Now the question is, are you gonna leave it stock, or try an alternate firmware (http://www.broadbandreports.com/faq/10537)? :silly:

Actually, BBR's Linksys FAQ (http://www.broadbandreports.com/faq/linksys) might not be a bad reference for you...