Firewall issue with home network via usb transfer cable

[sidewinder]

Hi folks,

have just got my daughter a laptop and wanted to network it to my pc so she could use the internet without the hassle of going and getting a router.

i am using a usb2.0 network transfer cable and took me ages to realise that zone alarm was blocking the connection.

both are using windows xp and the connection works great with zone alarm switched off.

after a bit of research it seems that free zone alarm wont let me do what i want, if i turn it off it works great but dont like the idea of just using windows firewall,
so basically i would like to know if anyone has any recomendations on another firewall which will allow me to network both computers so she can use my internet.

thanks for looking....alan.

[edDV]

Hi folks,

have just got my daughter a laptop and wanted to network it to my pc so she could use the internet without the hassle of going and getting a router.

i am using a usb2.0 network transfer cable and took me ages to realise that zone alarm was blocking the connection.

both are using windows xp and the connection works great with zone alarm switched off.

after a bit of research it seems that free zone alarm wont let me do what i want, if i turn it off it works great but dont like the idea of just using windows firewall,
so basically i would like to know if anyone has any recomendations on another firewall which will allow me to network both computers so she can use my internet.

thanks for looking....alan.

How are you getting your internet?
A simple router in the incomming path provides a fair degree of hardware isolation for incoming attacks.

Test both computers for vulnerability with Shields UP!
https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

[sidewinder]

i'm on cable and use a modem connected by ethernet.

its just i didn't want the hassle of going and getting a router if there was another good firewall available which would allow me to set sxceptions.

[edDV]

IMO a cheap simple router gives basic protection. Get one with Ethernet and a USB connection and you solve the laptop problem as well. Software firewalls like Zone Alarm bog a system down but should still be used in the field away from the router.

[gadgetguy]

What protocol are you using to connect via USB? You should be able to put her laptop in the trusted zone of Zone Alarm by adding it in as a host/site computer or by IP address.

[sidewinder]

thanks for the suggestion gadgetboy will try it in the morning when i have got more time,
and thanks for the firewall test site edtv both pcs pass.

will have to wait while next wk before i can get a router the kids have cleaned me out lmao

[dcsos]

You can only enter IP's with ZONE ALARM PRO
the ZONE ALARM FREE doen't support home networking (or network printing).
if its the free product, Just shut it on and off for communications over the network...

[gadgetguy]

You can only enter IP's with ZONE ALARM PRO
the ZONE ALARM FREE doen't support home networking (or network printing).
if its the free product, Just shut it on and off for communications over the network...

I don't know where you got that idea. I am currently using the free version on my home network and I can share folders, map drives, share printers, whatever I want to do on my local network.

thanks for the suggestion gadgetboy ...

It's been quite a while since I was called a boy.

[sidewinder]

lol sorry about that gadgetguy, my only defence is it's been a long and stressfull day.

I can share my printers and folders no problem but not my internet connection,

adding the ip of the laptop makes no difference, zone alarm shows there is outbound and inbound traffik from the laptop but then just blocks everything.

looks like i wil be going with turning zone alarm off for now when she wants the internet till i go get a router.
thanks all[/quote]

[dcsos]

thanks for the heads up..
i stand corrected
do you need a fixed ip type setup to use the exclusionary feature?

[gadgetguy]

thanks for the heads up..
i stand corrected
do you need a fixed ip type setup to use the exclusionary feature?

No. I'm using DHPC on my router. Go to the Firewall\Zones tab and click Add for a list of options.