If you are one of the 1000's of users who now use RoadRunner or DSL service, you are
undoubtedly enjoying the fast connection and no waiting for endless downloads. Well
that is the good news! Let's make you aware of the potential downside of this technology.
With Cable or DSL service, you have a constant connection to the web, but at the same time
it is similar to the old-fashion "party-lines" of earlier years. You share broadband with dozens
and sometimes hundreds of users. If you have noticed your connection during peak times
of the day to be a bit slow, this is why. Now just imagine sharing your conversation
with dozens of people... You would feel less than private, wouldn't you?
Hackers of today love people who have constant connections; they can spend hours breaking into your
PC and have access to anything. "But I don't have any information on my computer anyone would
want?" Well this may be true but sometimes it is not the credit card information they may want,
just your connection.
An EtherFast Cable/DSL Router acts as the only externally recognized Internet device on your LAN. Built-in technology
acts as a firewall to protect your internal network.
Internet security is rapidly becoming an important consideration when building a
network. With the recent proliferation of news stories on hackers, viruses, and
Internet thieves, mainstream America is beginning to understand the power that a
single individual can gain by quietly sneaking into your network and downloading
your personal files, data and information.
Every networked computer that has access to the Internet is, to some degree, at
risk. But we don’t want to scare you too much. The odds of a hacker wasting his
time on your personal network is slim. Compared to the allure of breaking into a
major government or corporate system, you don’t have much to offer. This doesn’t
mean, however, that it can’t—or doesn’t—happen. If someone is after nothing but
small-time financial or personal data, personal networks are perfect targets.
Fortunately, protecting your network from unauthorized access is both inexpensive
and easy.
While firewall software does exist in-and-of itself, a home or small business
user will likely want to buy an Internet Sharing software product with a firewall
built in.
The most simple and flexible way to create an Internet firewall (a network shield
against unwanted intruders) is to install a piece of hardware into your network
that already has firewall software built into it. The most commonly used firewall
device is an Internet Router.
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