MSN Messenger V6 and Routers

Do NOT depend on only a software firewall running on your
PC!!!! Unlike software which can crash, be
misconfigured, not updated properly, etc. even a simple
hardware "firewall" such as using NAT is the BEST 1st line
of defense against hackers!

I regularly communicate with business associates and
friends in other countries and am running behind a NAT
firewall that supports SIP. I also have software firewall
features enabled in XP, as well as antivirus, spam
blocking and anti-popup software installed. Even with
these defenses in place, I am careful to install all
available service packs and not open untrusted mail, etc.

These same recommendations, coupled with equally agressive
measures for servers, have kept my client's computers safe
from ALL of the recent outbreaks of viruses. None of them
have suffered from any successful hacker attacks, although
we have caught many attempts...

Do NOT let ANYONE convince you that a hardware firewall is
a bad idea or not necessary on a broadband connnection!
They are either foolish or lying! My advice... unless you
have a VPN connection with your daughter and have
implemented all of the methods I mentioned, DON'T risk
identity theft and virus contamination for the novelty of
Messenger. Use a Web-based chat service or find a long
distance company that charges .05 or < per minute and call
her! The call is cheap compared to the potential cost of
opening up your system(s). Besides, you can always email
pictures!


>-----Original Message-----
>Hi Jonathan, I have a question for you. I am now
enjoying the full
>featured MSN Messenger V6 after disabling the Windows XP
firewall and the
>Intel Network Qos. My daughter is still on Win. 98 and
upgraded to MSN
>Messenger V6 did the same thing with her broadband modem
by disabling the
>NAT and everything works beautifully (audio/video, file
transfer, remote
>assistance, etc.).
>And now the question. I was told that by disabling the
Qos /NAT I or we
>were opening up our cpu's to hackers and we might want to
consider putting a
>router that is UPnP friendly in line to protect us from
that happening. The
>way it was explained to me is that the router would serve
as a "hardware
>firewall" and have no negative impact on the performance
of my one personal
>cpu and certainly not impact the performance of messenger.
>Could you please comment on this.
>Thanks,
>Jim
>
>
>
>.
>

Just exactly how are you communicating using the NAT. You call? I am sure
they cannot call you!. I sure would hate to live in the constand fear that
you are living in!

Joel

"John MCSE CDP CCA" <westrajc@~hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:073a01c37ccc$ce3fb4c0$a401280a@phx.gbl...
> Do NOT depend on only a software firewall running on your
> PC!!!! Unlike software which can crash, be
> misconfigured, not updated properly, etc. even a simple
> hardware "firewall" such as using NAT is the BEST 1st line
> of defense against hackers!
>
> I regularly communicate with business associates and
> friends in other countries and am running behind a NAT
> firewall that supports SIP. I also have software firewall
> features enabled in XP, as well as antivirus, spam
> blocking and anti-popup software installed. Even with
> these defenses in place, I am careful to install all
> available service packs and not open untrusted mail, etc.
>
> These same recommendations, coupled with equally agressive
> measures for servers, have kept my client's computers safe
> from ALL of the recent outbreaks of viruses. None of them
> have suffered from any successful hacker attacks, although
> we have caught many attempts...
>
> Do NOT let ANYONE convince you that a hardware firewall is
> a bad idea or not necessary on a broadband connnection!
> They are either foolish or lying! My advice... unless you
> have a VPN connection with your daughter and have
> implemented all of the methods I mentioned, DON'T risk
> identity theft and virus contamination for the novelty of
> Messenger. Use a Web-based chat service or find a long
> distance company that charges .05 or < per minute and call
> her! The call is cheap compared to the potential cost of
> opening up your system(s). Besides, you can always email
> pictures!
>
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >Hi Jonathan, I have a question for you. I am now
> enjoying the full
> >featured MSN Messenger V6 after disabling the Windows XP
> firewall and the
> >Intel Network Qos. My daughter is still on Win. 98 and
> upgraded to MSN
> >Messenger V6 did the same thing with her broadband modem
> by disabling the
> >NAT and everything works beautifully (audio/video, file
> transfer, remote
> >assistance, etc.).
> >And now the question. I was told that by disabling the
> Qos /NAT I or we
> >were opening up our cpu's to hackers and we might want to
> consider putting a
> >router that is UPnP friendly in line to protect us from
> that happening. The
> >way it was explained to me is that the router would serve
> as a "hardware
> >firewall" and have no negative impact on the performance
> of my one personal
> >cpu and certainly not impact the performance of messenger.
> >Could you please comment on this.
> >Thanks,
> >Jim
> >
> >
> >
> >.
> >