Recently changed to DSL.
Two questions:
First:
Since DSL is always on, how do I know my box is safe?
When I had an external modem I turned it off when not in use.
There are times when I am not using the net and the lights on the DSL modem are blinking rapidly. Sometimes only one blink, other times they blink for a second or so. Is this okay, or is there possibly a problem?

Second:
When I boot up I have to setup the DSL connection every time.
Once on, it works fine.

Any ideas on how to solve these issuses?
dlw

Don't worry about those blinking lights, that's just network traffic which is going to happen. My cable modem light constantly flashes all the time.

If your concerned about security which is good to worry about, learn how to setup and manage a firewall, either if its hardware based ( like getting a router ) or setting one up on your machine that will always be on, either with iptables or bastille and many others.


And regarding setting up your DSL connection everytime upon bootup, it helps if you tell us how exactly you have it setup, like does it use usb connection from modem to computer, type of hardware used, what distro are you using, etc?

And regarding setting up your DSL connection everytime upon bootup, it helps if you tell us how exactly you have it setup, like does it use usb connection from modem to computer, type of hardware used, what distro are you using, etc?

my sys is 1.2ghz, 512m ram with 120g hd and 160g hd running MDK 10/KDE 3.2 dual boot with W98.
The DSL modem is an Atctiontec 5.4 Mps Wireless DSL Gateway that uses eth1 Accton| Ethernet Adapter via a cable. I use Mandrakelinux Control Center to set up the DSL connection.

dlw