I have been using smoothwall and peerguardian for a long time and knock on wood have not had any problems. My question is what is the realistic chance that someone may be caught when you share no files (although wile I do use emule, it shares while Im online), have all ports block on a firewall with the exception of one for emule and a few for bittorrent, and use peerguardian while dowloading. I guess my question is to not make myself feel safer, but is there anything more I can do to improve my security.



ps. Firewall config
smoothwall 2.0
set to not respond to icmp or multicast traffic.

drop peerguardian and get protowall if your system can run it

Can we install SmoothWall on Windows XP. Or still dvp for Linux.??

i think its still linux....

It's linux. Runs on a dedicated computer. Works well.

So, is protowall a complete replacement of peerguardian or do you still need to run peerguardian?

replacement no need for pg if you have pw

Thanks for your replies, maybe one day I can contribute and give back...


Later,
Maz

if you're connecting your M$ box to the inet through a linux box, there are SOOO many ways you can block traffic just using linux's intrinsic functions. PM or post if you have any linux ??? for me

I would say also get PW if ya system can handle it, but A note to all here - dont give up on PG - PG is still being worked on, a C++ version instead of the current Visual Basic one is being worked on along with UDP added support, it was the platform for the new guys to base there IP blockers on, its ALWAYS done me proud .... I aint myself going to PW yet until its bugs are sorted, and the TCP Protocol is the mainone anyways, if thats blocked to certain IP's like antip2p than the chances of ya getting done is slim, just adding tons more protocols isnt neccasary but others will disagree and its the persons choice what they use, but for me its PG version 14 until PW is more stable ..... also check the Methlab forums thats where the PG support is, the proggammer I mean and other advice on it, like suggestions ... the SOURCE CODE is also available so whynot tweak it? I am looking into it as I can use Visual Basic so watch this space.

Anyways I aint used Smoothwall so I cant comment ... to try and make you more secure than make sure that ya firewall is always tewaked to its best, have a port blocker installed and have the worst ports blocked ... a free program is Analog's X port Blocker, also have a good anti-virus like AVG version 7 pro'.
Logging software such as NetPeeker is also useful but not really needed unless ya wonna probe and mess about LOL it can be made to block certain things out but the Firewall can do all that.
If ya wonna go further than theres Intrusion Detection Systems such as Pest Petrol, I dont personally like that but its had GREAT reviews.
Also Packets monitors such as Snort and CommView for seeing all the traffic on your system, you are looking at whats going on .... is advanced and only useful if ya wonna probe deeper for Trojan signitures and suspicious behaviour on your network, not really for the average user or security.

Theres a few other things to have, Moore has made TONS of lists going into detail, so head over to the Guides section ... ya'll learn more there.

But from me thats it man.

cyaz

Great info, Thanks! I mainly get on and get what I want then get off, so I try not to stay downloading for long periods. However we can never be to safe. I have always loved PG but it seems as though in the past few months it has started getting really slow. If they make a C++ version of it that will greatly increase the performance and I'll keep my eye out on that. Smoothwall has snort built right in, I keep an eye on that also. I also use The Blocklist Manager and import that into my smoothie using there ipblock feature so I guess I try to run 2 or 3 levels deep with protection (Paranoid) . Anyways thank you guys for the replies, it's hard to find a great forum these days, but looks like my lucky day.


Thanks,
Maz

Glad to help, the Methlabs forums is http://methlabs.org/forums/index.php? that has some useful contacts and info also the sections for PG, to make suggestions and the like .... its not dead and left over there lol.
Also the sourcecode for PG is here http://homepage.ntlworld.com/tim.leonard1/...0Sourcecode.zip