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        New Message Board Archives >> 2007 General Board Posts >> Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
        
(Message started by: pubgirl on Jan 16^th, 2007, 4:14am)

Title: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by pubgirl on Jan 16^th, 2007, 4:14am

Norton antivirus is driving me bloody mad, it keeps interrupting my email sends so they don't go and "chunters" all the time slowing everything down maddeningly. It even scans Word documents EVERY time I open them and takes ages doing it aaaaarrrgggghh!

I know I should already have a router, but when I get one, can I ditch Norton safely (I use Spybot as well)??

Thanks in advance

Frustrated of Britain

Title: peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by TonyG1 on Jan 16^th, 2007, 6:14am

Pubgirl - Depends --- Most DSL connections use a private network address -- generally, a dsl router will be running NAT (Network Address Translation) -- Translated, that generally means that nothing can directly access your computer because the IP address of a DSL router running NAT is different from the IP address of your computer. These devices allow you to access the Internet by relaying traffic, typically from multiple computers, through a single IP address.

Having said all of the above, I wouldn't suggest ditching the antivirus protection -- perhaps a differing antivirus software (i.e. McAfee) ...The reason is while a router using NAT does provide an extra layer of protection -- that is only to prevent someone from directly probing your computer to find the weak spots -- it does not prevent you from downloading infected files, etc...

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by Mosaicwench on Jan 16^th, 2007, 7:29am

FWIW, I have had Mcafee for 10 years or more and I love it.

Check out something like Zone Alarm too, for a firewall protection program.

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by burnt-toast on Jan 16^th, 2007, 8:17am

Don’t confuse routers with firewalls and security software.

In basic terms –

Routers are networking devices that provide multiple computers with shared access to devices/data on networks as well as Internet connections.

Single computers do not require routers because data/devices are typically directly attached and there is no sharing with other computers. Single computers are most cost effectively protected with software firewalls that provide protection from external attempts to access the computer and/or data on it. Windows XP (service pack 2) and the new Vista contain a software firewall that is turned on by default as a feature of the operating system. A variety of other software firewalls are available for purchase but confirm that your computer has sufficient resources to support the firewall and that your operating system version is compatible before purchasing.

For networks - some routers have built in firewalls and standalone hardware firewalls are also available. These allow users to open and close ports that permit and/or block various types of external access to the network and provide monitoring/response capabilities for intrusion attempts. Routers and Firewalls are not replacements for systems/data security software such as virus and spyware protection because they do not protect computers from malicious code that users accept on the computer.

Virus and spyware software should be installed on all computers that rely on any external data source or communication with websites. E-mail attachments, downloads, CDs’, opened links, and even purchased software can contain malicious code that can destroy data, permit tracking of activities on your computer and even use your computer as a hub for expanding the reach of malicious activities. This software looks for known malicious code and attempts to eliminate it and/or notify users before damage is caused by running the code on the target computer. Constant updates and renewal is necessary to keep software current and computers safe from constantly changing exposures. Unfortunately these can slow computers, particularly machines that are becoming resource constrained.

It may be beneficial to have a knowledgeable person take a look at your computer. PCs often get cluttered with unnecessary started tasks, features, data fragmentation on disks and even spyware that significantly slows performance. With the right knowledge and tools most of this can be easily corrected to improve performance.

Tom

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by UN solved on Jan 16^th, 2007, 9:56am

If Nortons is slowing everything down that much ... could it be a RAM problem (not enough) ?? I'm using Nortons 06' and it's not slowing me down very much at all.

UNsolved

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by Paul98 on Jan 16^th, 2007, 11:47am

PG-

A router acts as a physical firewall. It will prevent most direct attacks from outside your network but it will not prevent viruses getting through on an e-mail. If NAV seems to be slowing things down way to much you can adjust the security settings so it dosn't scan everything.

I run Norton 06 and I have had problems too. I ended up uninstalling it and then reinstalling it. If you go this route, use the uninstall program from Nortons web site. (Using uninstall fron the control panel will not work. ) It is the only way to get all the norton stuff off the puter and if you don't you will have problems reinstalling it.

-P.

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by Opus on Jan 16^th, 2007, 12:44pm

Wendy,

A router is a great idea for some protection from worms, and crackers trying to get in. It will not stop viruses, trojans, or spy/adware. Your best bet is to use a system that isn't vulnerable to most malware. The downfall is that using services like bittorrent, VoIP, VNC and Remote desktop will require port forwarding in the router. This and setting your computer's IP to a static one are beyond most users abilities.

If you have to use windows probably Avast (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html) will use the least resources. If you get a router then your software firewall will be mostly used to alert you of your trashware sending the world your life's story.

Paul

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by pubgirl on Jan 16^th, 2007, 2:09pm

Thank you all so much!

You are right, I thought a router protected more than it does so it is a good thing I asked!

I need to read and understand everything above (a slow process for me) and decide what to do.

I don't think I am short of RAM by the way. I have a good spec' PC for my needs and I do regular maintenance on it and there is always loads of space left (theoretically)

I am convinced it is either Norton or maybe also some background programme I don't know exists causing all this "chuntering"

Thanks again everyone!

Wendy

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by brewcrew on Jan 16^th, 2007, 2:57pm

I don't think UNsolved is talking about how much disk space you have. He's talking about Random Access Memory, which is quite different.

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by Mattrf on Jan 16^th, 2007, 3:38pm

The Symantec security center can be a pain, I tend to dump all of it but the antivirus part itself, and it is the internet security piece that is driving you nuts. You do need a firewall and like mentioned above Zone Alarm is a good software firewall, Microsoft has it’s own built in with XP but it does not work well enough for my liking and I am a certified Microsoft Engineer so that should tell you something.
[smiley=laugh.gif]

Matt

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by pubgirl on Jan 16^th, 2007, 6:52pm

on 01/16/07 at 14:57:08, brewcrew wrote:

I don't think UNsolved is talking about how much disk space you have. He's talking about Random Access Memory, which is quite different.

See? I'm a total numpty!

How do I know if I have enough RAM then?

W

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by BlueMeanie on Jan 16^th, 2007, 7:22pm

Unrelated, but since we've got all you geeks out there :D can you answer me a question ? Lots of times I try going from one site to another and the hour glass shows up waiting for a page to load. Eventually a screen pops up saying one or more programs are not responding, close the program and try again. How do I know what the program is that I am suppose to close ?

Wendy... to find out how much RAM you have go to start button, go to settings, go to control panel, go to system. It will show your processor speed and amount of RAM. It should be at least 256 MB.

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by Jonny on Jan 16^th, 2007, 7:28pm

on 01/16/07 at 19:22:38, BlueMeanie wrote:

Control, Alt, Delete (all at the same time)......brings up the task manager, click applications.....that will tell you what programs are not responding.

I think thats right, try it now to see whats running.

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by Paul98 on Jan 16^th, 2007, 8:47pm

on 01/16/07 at 18:52:04, pubgirl wrote:

See? I'm a total numpty!

How do I know if I have enough RAM then?

W

Right click on y Computer icon and bring up properties. It should state the processor you have and installed RAM in megabites. What OS are you running? If it is XP you want ~ 1 gb. RAM

-P.

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by pubgirl on Jan 16^th, 2007, 9:04pm

:-[ :-[I'm afraid I am still running Win 2000 , more :-[ :-[

I know I am an old bag running old programmes but most of the time I don't have time to wee, let alone update my PC (hence why I get mad when Norton slows me down - my life only allows 2 speeds, very fast and asleep.

I never knew what I had, I still don't but it says:

Win 2000
Service Pack 4
AMD Duron Processor
114,160KB RAM

Looks like lots of lovely fluffy Rams but no lovely sheep to me and all is a complete mysterious language I do not speak.

Numpty Wendy

(who is actually pretty good on using the PC and ace at Ebay but no bleeding clue about any of the technical stuff)

P.S.
Couldn't we have a section of the board entitled "I know fuck all about CH but I can help with your computer?"

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by brewcrew on Jan 16^th, 2007, 9:36pm

I always tell people, "I don't build 'em, I just drive 'em."

Looks like you may want to think about adding some RAM.

Think of it this way: Your hard disk is like your file cabinet. It holds all the files you need to make it through life.

Your RAM is like the top of your desk. You can only open up and spread out so many files and papers at once - limited by the size of the top of your desk.

Adding RAM is like expanding the size of the top of your desk. You may only be able to concentrate on one file or paper at a time, but you can have a whole boat load of shit open at the same time. You don't have to be constantly wasting time closing files and putting them back in the drawer just so you can pull out others.

Right now, your computer is wasting a lot of time opening and closing file folders because there's a limited amount of room in which to view them (RAM).

Have I got you totally confused now? :o

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by pubgirl on Jan 16^th, 2007, 9:51pm

Oh Fuck!

Confused but it makes sense as sometimes I get a pop-up while I'm working when I only have 3 windows open saying it is increasing my something or other memory which suggests I didn't have enough of the rammy horned sheep things.

W

Next question.

Have to increase my sheep, do I have to buy a new computer or mother board or what? DON'T tell me to rebuild my harddrive as I did that last year and it nearly killed me.

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by brewcrew on Jan 16^th, 2007, 10:10pm

Sorry, this is my stop. Without knowing what kind of machine you have, what generation processor, whether or not you have any slots open for additional memory, I'm at a loss. You might want to consider taking it to a pro and asking them how complicated (e.g., costly) it will be to add RAM. If you can, bump it up to 1 gigabyte or more. Even 512 megabytes will be far better than what you have.

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by Mattrf on Jan 17^th, 2007, 10:41am

on 01/16/07 at 19:22:38, BlueMeanie wrote:

If you are running one of the newer IE’s under tools is a option to manage add-ons, if you go here you will see all the crap that has been installed as plug ins in IE and you can disable them, most are not needed and they just slow down your internet browsing.
I would also run some spyware scans on your PC and make sure it is clean of most spyware, use like Spybot and Ad-Aware SE you can get both from Download.com, also go to Trendmicro.com and they have a free virus/spyware scan that you can run, once you have done all this it should run like it used to but if there are still problems try defraging the hard drive that also is rarely done and can help a bunch. Open my computer and right click the C drive and go to properties then go to the tools tab and select defrag.

Hope this helps.

Matt
[smiley=damncomputer.gif]

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by pubgirl on Jan 17^th, 2007, 1:09pm

on 01/16/07 at 09:56:55, UN solved wrote:

If Nortons is slowing everything down that much ... could it be a RAM problem (not enough) ?? I'm using Nortons 06' and it's not slowing me down very much at all.

UNsolved

UNsolved

It now looks like you have hit the nail on the head. I probably never should have installed Norton in the first place as it uses HUGE amounts of RAM, more than my PC can cope with which I wasn't aware of.
Having asked a few friends and colleagues, it appears that they are all having similar problems.

Surely most home PC users won't have PC's with the necessary RAM??

So now have to decide whether to:

Take out parts of Norton
Take out all of Norton and replace with something else that uses less RAM
Buy a new PC and start from scratch

Wendy

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by brewcrew on Jan 17^th, 2007, 3:11pm

on 01/17/07 at 13:09:41, pubgirl wrote:

So now have to decide whether to:

Take out parts of Norton
Take out all of Norton and replace with something else that uses less RAM
Buy a new PC and start from scratch
ADD MORE RAM (if it's possible with your machine)

There. Fixed it for you.

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by pubgirl on Jan 17^th, 2007, 7:44pm

Could you pop over and do it for me?

Pretty please? :-* :-* :-*

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by artonio7 on Jan 17^th, 2007, 7:56pm

on 01/17/07 at 13:09:41, pubgirl wrote:

Buy a new PC and start from scratch

Title: Re: Computer peeps: How safe is a router?
Post by lskilly on Jan 18^th, 2007, 8:32pm

After you add more Rams or a new pc. type in Zone Alarm and download the free version of their firewall. Then type in C. Cleaner download it run the cleaner and the scan for issues and the fix issues. This is also a free program. C. cleaner stands for crap cleaner. In fact you might do these two things before you buy anything.

Hope this helps.

Skilly