AboutJames Filmer Expertise Anti-virus, anti-spyware, Firewall programs and other security tools, system, application and layered security configuration, Internet abuse, system maintenance support and troubleshooting.
Note: Anyone caught laughing at their computer with food or drink in the
mouth will be reported to their local computer recycling center.
Question QUESTION: hi james,
i was wondering if 2 pc's share the same modem, and the pc's connect via a ethernet cable, can a virus or spyware be spread to both pc's this way? would only connecting one pc at a time to the modem be a good and effective precaution? thanks
"Preparing Computers For Networking:
Depending on your configuration and settings, a single computer that is infected with a virus can spread to your entire network infecting all of your computers..."
There are great deal of helpful information in the answer; if there's anything you don't understand, just ask me.
You can also keep things simple by using Network Magic (see enrgy21.com) or a program like it.
If you like a security analysis of your network, please provide more info (private if you wish).
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QUESTION: i'm so sorry about the late post, but when i was reading the article i didn't see any mention concerning whether if what i did, which is only connecting one pc at a time to the modem, was a good enough precaution. can you please provide some clarification on this part? thanks and i promise i will respond as soon as possible.
ANSWER: Dear jon,
I don't believe connecting one PC at a time makes any difference. Once the systems are connected to each other, they can be infected by each other, no matter how you connect at first. The only thing that will make a difference is the network security ie, anti-virus, firewall and anti-spyware programs you use.
Regarding which ones are best, I like to use AVG anti-virus and Spybot, a-squared and/or Superantispyware and others. Layered security is best for my systems, but for yours, a bundled package (AVG, Online Armor, Sunbelt, Network Magic and others have them...) might be best.
Remember there are links to great reviews on the enrgy21.com site including some on the Site Tools page if you want to see what else is out there.
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QUESTION: i know one of pc has a virus but how do i know if my other one has it? scans on it have picked up nothing more than cookies. should i be worried? and i use norton internet security. and when you say that it can infect the network, does that mean the modem is infected with the virus or the computers connected to it? so if i reformatted my old infected pc and connected it to the same modem, will it risk being reinfected? and one very important question: am i being paranoid for not trusting my internet security? if i believe it when it tells me my system is infected, should i not trust it when it tells me my pc is ok (on another pc) thanks!
Answer jon,
Just because one PC was infected doesn't mean the other one has to be. And, the modem wouldn't be infected, just the computer. I'd believe it when Norton says the system's OK (or not), but use some addtional program like Superantispyware, Spybot, a-squared, or another as an additional layer of security. you can even more more than one, but check reviews to see if any might conflict with Norton.
