1st time online in a month, need input

erik · Post by **erik** » 16 Dec 2006 4:34 pm

Hi y'all. I moved and just got back online. I just purchased an Avertec notebook at Staples. When I hooked up the DSL cable it connected to my network automatically. Why so? No password was required.

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-johnson

Dave Potter · Post by **Dave Potter** » 17 Dec 2006 7:28 am

Hey, man - wondered where you went.

On the DSL connection, it's "connected" to the network continuously as long as you have all the wires plugged in on your computer.

If what you meant was it logged into your ISP account without asking you for a password, either you have your account set up to do that, or your settings on your PC are such that the required password was available to it.

I have DSL, and when I open my email client or browser, I don't get asked for a password either. But I've explicitly enabled that to happen in the settings for the account in my software.[This message was edited by Dave Potter on 17 December 2006 at 07:29 AM.]

erik · Post by **erik** » 17 Dec 2006 8:56 am

Okay, maybe I'm confusing it with my SBC Yahoo browser which I did not install. But with my desktop anytime I shut off my modem I had to run a check to reconnect. I purchased an Averatec 2300 laptop at Staples for $700. I love everything about it except it doesn't record audio it only rips from existing media. Now I'm going to have to purchase a soundcard just so I can make cds or upload songs of mine. Maybe I can upload from my media card as a wav file into the usb.

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-johnson

Wiz Feinberg · Post by **Wiz Feinberg** » 17 Dec 2006 9:50 am

DSL modems usually contain all the configuration fields necessary to establish and maintain a continuous connection to your ISP. Somebody had to input your username @ your_isp.com and password, into the login properties, in the configuration screen, at ht*p://192.168.0.1. If you didn't do so, your ISP must have preprogrammed those items for you.

Knowledgable installers setup DSL modems to connect automatically, and stay connected. Older DSL modems did require a software login utility or connection manager, but that is no longer the case. If you or the installer knows how to obtain a user name and password without loading the garbage software, it saves a lot of BS and bloat that comes with that software.

Whenever I setup a new DSL account on SBC/ATT I go to a special URL where I can input a desired user name and password, to be tied to my DSL phone number. As long as nobody else has taken that username it is assigned to your DSL phone number. The accepted username and password can then be entered, into the Login screen of the modem, at 192.168.0.1, after logging in as admin, using the default login info supplied with the modem setup sheet. Software is not required after that. These modems contain a battery to maintain your personal settings when the power is off.

The modems I have configured thusly include SpeedStream and Netopia models. The Netopia contains a 4 port LAN section, whereas the SpeedStream is only a modem.

Warning!
All broadband modems that are connected directly to a computer are placing that computer in imminent danger of TCP attacks. Before ever connecting a DSL or cable modem to a Windows XP computer be sure you activate the Windows Firewall, for the adapter into which the modem is connected to the computer, or for all interfaces. After successfully getting online, run, don't walk, to www.zonelabs.com and download and install the free or commercial ZoneAlarm Personal Firewall. It will drive you nuts with popup challenges and requests for authorization for programs wanting to connect to the 'net, but once you train it to remember your decisions, it will save your digital ass.

After you connect and are firewalled, get all available Windows Updates and turn ON automatic Windows Updates. Then download, install and update an anti virus and an anti spyware program.

FWI: An un-firewalled, fully patched XP or earlier computer can be taken over via hostile programs within 20 seconds of going online.

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Bob "Wiz" Feinberg
Moderator of the SGF Computers Forum
Visit my Wiztunes Steel Guitar website at: http://www.wiztunes.com/
or my computer troubleshooting website: Wizcrafts Computer Services,
or my Webmaster Services webpage. Get Firefox Here.
Learn about current computer virus and security threats here.
Read Wiz's Blog for security news and update notices. Learn about using a Limited User account to protect your PC. Read my FAQs.

[This message was edited by Wiz Feinberg on 17 December 2006 at 09:51 AM.]

erik · Post by **erik** » 18 Dec 2006 4:12 pm

Thank you for the advise, Wiz. This laptop comes with a trial version of zone alarm and yes, it can be very annoying.

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-johnson

George Redmon · Post by **George Redmon** » 19 Dec 2006 3:46 pm

Wiz..you confused me again! i have McAfee Security Center 2006 installed and up to date. As well as Ad Aware, and Spy Bot. I also went to control panel, and my windows firewall is on. Now am i operating safely? Now do i need to download something else to?[This message was edited by George Redmon on 19 December 2006 at 03:47 PM.]

Wiz Feinberg · Post by **Wiz Feinberg** » 19 Dec 2006 10:18 pm

i have McAfee Security Center 2006 installed and up to date. As well as Ad Aware, and Spy Bot. I also went to control panel, and my windows firewall is on. Now am i operating safely? Now do i need to download something else to?

George;
I recommend a Thompson Sub-Machine gun for additional security.

No, seriously, Grab a copy of Windows Defender from Microsoft.com and update it, then set it to scan every night and obtain automatic updates. Make sure you check for updates for Spoybot and Ad-Aware every week, manually.

BTW: If any of you have been running Windows Defender Beta 2 it will be discontinued soon and a new free non-beta version has been made available for downloading, for all holder of a valid Windows XP license. At the same time Windows Defender support for Windows 2000 has been terminated, as that OS is approaching EOL, for general support. XP users operating as Administrators will see a notice about the new version and a Download Now button, when they open Windows Defender, if their OS is supported. If you are a Power or Limited user you will have to log onto your Administrator account to get the update, along with other Windows Updates. Don't forget to defrag while in the admin account.

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Bob "Wiz" Feinberg
Moderator of the SGF Computers Forum
Visit my Wiztunes Steel Guitar website at: http://www.wiztunes.com/
or my computer troubleshooting website: Wizcrafts Computer Services,
or my Webmaster Services webpage. Get Firefox Here.
Learn about current computer virus and security threats here.
Read Wiz's Blog for security news and update notices. Learn about using a Limited User account to protect your PC. Read my FAQs.