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Thread ID: 38746 2003-10-17 04:05:00 Wot to do with an old 586 Blue Druid (4480) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
184143 2003-10-17 06:22:00 > Without wishing to appear entirely stupid (all
> evidence to the contrary!), in what way would using a
> hardware firewall such as smoothwall be better than
> software such as Zone Alarm?

From the Smoothwall FAQ:

How is SmoothWall different from other firewalls?
A. Some firewalls are software firewalls. They reside on
the machine that is connected to the Internet, and act as
a filter for information going in and out. The major
drawback to a software firewall is that they have
already connected to your box. It is like the difference
between locking your front door, and locking your
jewellery box. Both are meant to keep your jewels
safe, but one is obviously more effective.
A hardware firewall (like a machine running
SmoothWall) is between your network and the Internet.
It forces anyone who wants to break in to have to go
through an extra machine. The more work you make
them do, the less likely they are going to want to spend
the time on you. After all, the person down the street
isn't protected at all. They are an easier target.
tommy (2826)
184144 2003-10-17 07:16:00 Put linux on it and buy a lan card $17.00 dse (i think) and use it as a SMALL VERY SMALL Back up Sevear. (ok, im a bad spella dont rub it in :( ) Gods-Hitman (1419)
184145 2003-10-19 02:03:00 noting wrong with a 586 you could run 98 or ME on it fine as........... drcspy2 (4743)
184146 2003-10-19 02:21:00 Novelty Doorstop?

We used to use old Apple SE machines as doorstops at work, smiley face twinked on to the screen and all.
whiskeytangofoxtrot (438)
184147 2003-10-19 04:01:00 No no to the landfill. I'm too far away else would be glad if you deposited it on my doorstep. There just must be someone in your area who would love it to death.

M...
Martina (4232)
184148 2003-10-19 04:19:00 > Without wishing to appear entirely stupid (all
> evidence to the contrary!), in what way would using a
> hardware firewall such as smoothwall be better than
> software such as Zone Alarm?

I notice someone has replied to this already a bit further up.

Realistically, a software firewall is all you need for your average home PC, even then most of the time that is overkill.

Dial-up connections are slow, they get dynamic IP addresses, they are unreliable, and often extremely short in session life. The chances of the much feared "hackers" breaking in to your machine and stealing your recipes.doc file and the photo_of_cat.jpg file out of your My Documents directory is pretty miniscule in all reality.

A software firewall further minimises the odds to something infintesimal.

A hardware firewall? Yes, perhaps for someone on an "always connected" DSL or cable connection, or for bigger corporates with data of commercial value to protect. The home user? A waste of time imho unless it's purely for educational purposes.

This forum seems to be smattered with people that have leapt on the latest fad bandwagon of firewalls without realistically thinking about the real implications and actual need for them on the average home machine.
whiskeytangofoxtrot (438)
184149 2003-10-23 22:20:00 I'd be happy to pick it up off you and return the favor by tweaking tuning your PC to run faster and more safely in exchange kiwibeat (304)
184150 2003-10-23 22:24:00 > I'd be happy to pick it up off you and return the
> favor by tweaking tuning your PC to run faster and
> more safely in exchange

Who wouldnt ;-)
Chilling_Silently (228)
184151 2003-10-24 00:14:00 Bit slow off the mark there Chill. Your bid now.

Cheers Murray P
Murray P (44)
184152 2003-10-24 00:14:00 True but my idea of tweaking takes about 2 hours with all the latest stuff that makes a PC worth having lol kiwibeat (304)
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