Win XP gateway security strategy
 

Hi,
My home network consists of 2 computers: a Linux and a Win XP. Due to hardware restrictions, the Win XP will act as an internet gateway (dial-up PPP account). I'm currently running Norton Personal Firewall on this box.

My question concerns the Linux box: do I need to install a firewall here eventhough I already have one in XP? Should I be worried about closing off ports for telnet, ftp, etc? I'm the only user in this little network.
Thanks,
Art

Hmmm...
 

Although I'm completely against using Micro$oft as a security product, you should limit connections, including:


telnet (if you don't use it)
ftp (if you don't use it)
I personally take all ICMP packets out, that stops alot of funky script kiddying.
if you get deep into the ipcains jungle, consider not allowing SYN flagged packets on the inbound at all unless you explicitly allow want them.


If tyhis helps (YEAH!)
If not post again for a refined reply

uhm, that's understandable, about the ICMP part, but It's gonna break stuff.
Try allowing all types outbound, but inbound only type's 0,3,4,5,9,12,14.

The answer to your question depends on what you plan to be doing. Are you going to run the XP box or the Linux box with any server capabilites?
If you are going to run them as workstations, just disable ICMP requests and you should be relatively invisible to the rest of the world.
If you are going to run services , then which ones?