| Recent news has warned about Denial-of-Service | | | | modem these settings need to be considered. |
| computer access attempts. Web hosting computers | | | | As a minimum it is recommended that the computer |
| have normally been the target of choice, but personal | | | | have a 3rd party firewall to provide a robust barrier. |
| computers are entering the picture. What is this? Let's | | | | Remarkably, there are at least 3 free options available |
| say you are a black belt in martial arts and capable of | | | | for home use and these can be found via the |
| battling five trained mercenaries at the same time to | | | | resource links at the bottom. At this same location are |
| prevent entry through a door. Amazing, but what | | | | detailed instructions for testing the port settings for the |
| happens if 1000 of them suddenly arrive at once? | | | | computer. |
| Soon you will be overwhelmed no matter the skill level | | | | The other item of concern is the Internet Service |
| and the door is now wide open. This illustrates how a | | | | Modem which can create two significant security gaps; |
| denial of service attack works. | | | | |
| Zombie computers are compromised personal | | | | 1. Ping backs are legitimately used by computer testers |
| computers hosting a small piece of programming code | | | | to verify the response of a computer but they also |
| that provides for a coordinated attack on a specific | | | | reveal its presence to the Internet. This feature can be |
| target. These can play a crucial roll since they hide the | | | | disabled. The modem settings connected to a personal |
| source. Imagine that thousands of computers are | | | | computer are reached by entering the IP gateway |
| compromised and all are directed at your computer at | | | | address sometimes found on the modem's label. By |
| the same time sending a tremendous amount of data. | | | | accessing these setup options the settings for "being |
| The idea is that the chosen computer will be | | | | invisible" or disabling ping backs can be implemented. |
| overloaded and the computer security services used | | | | The Internet Service Provider can help with login |
| to protect it will fail allowing direct access. This is a | | | | information or additional information is found via the |
| denial-of-service attack. Zombie computers are not | | | | resource link at the bottom. |
| required if hiding the origin is not a concern of the | | | | 2. Modems can also include wireless internet services. |
| perpetrator. In this case they load up software on the | | | | Some of you may be saying, "Now you tell me!" It is |
| computers they will use and send this barrage directly. | | | | important to place the wireless connection into a |
| This attack could have already happened to your | | | | secure encrypted setting requiring a password to |
| computer and without your knowledge. It is important | | | | access the connection. |
| to take action to protect the computer. | | | | By using a 3rd party firewall and configuring the cable |
| Your computer may not have all of is entry ports, the | | | | modem properly the computer will be prepared for this |
| doors to the computer, protected. And, if connected to | | | | and other types of attacks. The last thing you want is |
| the internet with a DSL or Cable Internet Service | | | | your computer being accessed and used as a Zombie. |