hide from the internet

  • Thread starter Thread starter jeff
  • Start date Start date
J

jeff

Hello All,

I have a D-Link wireless router with Comcast High
speed cable and I never turn it off. My PC runs XP Pro,
is also always on, and is directly connected to the
router using a cable.
If I disable the NIC that is connected to the
router ... am I completely hidden and protected from any
internet attacks?
What I am trying to accomplish is a destop icon for my
NIC so that my wife only has to right click and select
enable to surf or disable when not in use.
(I run PC-Cillin '04 firewall and internet security if
it matters)

Thanks in advance for any help


I don't really care who wins this Sunday .........
Lets just hope it's not a BLOWOUT (may your team win)
 
Your router will provide pretty good protection, disabling the NIC to the
router is effective but probably a bit much.

Make sure your wireless is secure.
 
Disabling the NIC (just like plugging its cable off, or switching the PC
off) will effectively disconnect you from internet - so the answer to your
question is YES. However, you need protection while you ARE connected, and
if the protection is good, it doesn't matter if you stay connected 2 minutes
or 24 hours a day. Here your firewall DOES matter and in fact makes the
whole difference. How to configure it properly is a long story and takes
some technical knowledge. Unless you can find a specialist to do it for you,
I would suggest you study the firewall documentation and other publicly
available sources. You can find a lot of useful info and tools at:
www.grc.com.

Oh yeah, and don't forget to protect your wireless network - that's a
different issue. Apart from setting it right (suggest you read
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/columns/bowman/03july28.asp)
you should filter access only to known MAC addresses (if your router has
that option).
 
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