Safe PC usage guide

[Lintissa]

Once upon a time people connected to the internet using only a modem. These days it is normal to use a modem/router, a device where a modem and a router are built into the same box. A modem/router is a much safer way to connect to the internet than just a modem, but in the UK cable operators such as NTL and Virgin Media (before they adopted the Virgin Media super hub as standard) used to supply the Ambit-100 cable modem to their customers. In the remote chance anyone is still using a cable modem, I would advise contacting the isp to ask about a replacement.

As stated in the posts above, the default admin password should be changed and the use of pass-phrases instead or passwords is advised.

Another change that can be made is the use of a 3rd party DNS servers. Apart from claims of increased relaiblilty and stability, 3rd part DNS servers offer protection against phishing. If this change can be made on the router any device conntected to the router will use these server settings. Two possible free 3rd party DNS server providers are OpenDNS and Norten ConnectSafe. Configuring the router is not difficult and can be completed in a few minutes. Virgin Media super hub users will have to configure the individual devices as this change cannot be made on the super hub.