quick quiz

wootmachine9000 · 10-02-2006, 02:37 PM

So my college requires incoming freshman to buy a certain laptop from them (cause they load it with a bunch of software) to keep up technology in the classroom or whatever.

But anyways I connect to the wireless network in the academic building using this thing called "Contivity VPN Client" (got something to do with or is from Nortel Networks, I think).

Amongst the software I was given, was a lack of a firewall. Use windows built in firewall, I was told. Being as I know that windows built in firewall doesn't monitor outgoing traffic (I learned that thanks to TSF), I decided to find a good firewall.

So I have tried Sygate, and now I have Comodo. Both have managed to block me from the accessing the wireless network.

Can I somehow configure Comodo to allow to access the wireless?

**johnwill** · 10-03-2006, 05:27 PM

I would stop trying to beat the system. The fact that you're connecting through a VPN (that's the Nortel Client), means that anything that's coming in is almost certain to be scanned by the school's servers.

wootmachine9000 · 10-03-2006, 09:23 PM

I was wondering if that was the case.

Thanks

newhouse1390 · 10-04-2006, 07:38 AM

You would also be inside the schools firewall, so I would not advise running a client firewall. I know where I went to school they simply wouldn't allow it.

**Cellus** · 10-05-2006, 12:59 PM

The Windows Firewall (not to be confused with the older Internet Connection Firewall) is actually fairly decent. While it doesn't have outbound protection it should be suitable for your purposes anyways inside the school network. Don't get me wrong, there are some excellent third-party solutions out there, but sometimes I don't think people give Windows Firewall enough credit.

**johnwill** · 10-05-2006, 02:36 PM

My only firewall is normally my router, and it's protected me for years. When I'm on the road, I use the Windows firewall.

I'm waiting for the jeers here, but IMO most of the time all the "protection" provided by a fancy firewall is unwarranted. I see plenty of people that come here with commercial firewall products and lots of infected files. What's up with that? With all that protection, you must work pretty hard at getting the bad infections!

I can count on one hand all the times I've found anything suspicious on my systems.

**Cellus** · 10-05-2006, 05:01 PM

Not everyone has good surfing habits though, so the outbound protection adds a buffer that goes "Oh hey, that thing you just downloaded it trying to phone home. You want him to do that?".

However, and this is a general lesson to all, no firewall will do you any good if you got viruses and/or spyware on your system. Updated antivirus and antispyware solutions are a must. If you're clean of viruses and/or spyware then a simple firewall solution such as your router or Windows Firewall would do you just fine. If I catch one more person who spent $60 on Zonealarm Pro but is running Norton Antivirus 2004 without an active subscription, so help me...

Oh, there's also the reason where people just want their own personal fortress just because they can. *cough*

10-02-2006, 02:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
wootmachine9000 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RHIT-#1 in Engineering for 8 straight years Posts: 234 OS: none currently-broken My System	quick quiz So my college requires incoming freshman to buy a certain laptop from them (cause they load it with a bunch of software) to keep up technology in the classroom or whatever. But anyways I connect to the wireless network in the academic building using this thing called "Contivity VPN Client" (got something to do with or is from Nortel Networks, I think). Amongst the software I was given, was a lack of a firewall. Use windows built in firewall, I was told. Being as I know that windows built in firewall doesn't monitor outgoing traffic (I learned that thanks to TSF), I decided to find a good firewall. So I have tried Sygate, and now I have Comodo. Both have managed to block me from the accessing the wireless network. Can I somehow configure Comodo to allow to access the wireless?

10-03-2006, 05:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,711 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	I would stop trying to beat the system. The fact that you're connecting through a VPN (that's the Nortel Client), means that anything that's coming in is almost certain to be scanned by the school's servers. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-04-2006, 07:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
newhouse1390 Member, Networking Team Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,040 OS: Windows Server 2003	You would also be inside the schools firewall, so I would not advise running a client firewall. I know where I went to school they simply wouldn't allow it. __________________ Because you can read this thank a teacher, because it's English thank a soldier.

10-05-2006, 12:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,664 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	The Windows Firewall (not to be confused with the older Internet Connection Firewall) is actually fairly decent. While it doesn't have outbound protection it should be suitable for your purposes anyways inside the school network. Don't get me wrong, there are some excellent third-party solutions out there, but sometimes I don't think people give Windows Firewall enough credit. __________________ TSF Networking Team Virus/Trojan/Spyware Removal Help Donate!

10-05-2006, 02:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,711 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	My only firewall is normally my router, and it's protected me for years. When I'm on the road, I use the Windows firewall. I'm waiting for the jeers here, but IMO most of the time all the "protection" provided by a fancy firewall is unwarranted. I see plenty of people that come here with commercial firewall products and lots of infected files. What's up with that? With all that protection, you must work pretty hard at getting the bad infections! I can count on one hand all the times I've found anything suspicious on my systems. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-03-2006, 09:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
wootmachine9000 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RHIT-#1 in Engineering for 8 straight years Posts: 234 OS: none currently-broken My System	I was wondering if that was the case. Thanks

10-05-2006, 05:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,664 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	Not everyone has good surfing habits though, so the outbound protection adds a buffer that goes "Oh hey, that thing you just downloaded it trying to phone home. You want him to do that?". However, and this is a general lesson to all, no firewall will do you any good if you got viruses and/or spyware on your system. Updated antivirus and antispyware solutions are a must. If you're clean of viruses and/or spyware then a simple firewall solution such as your router or Windows Firewall would do you just fine. If I catch one more person who spent $60 on Zonealarm Pro but is running Norton Antivirus 2004 without an active subscription, so help me... Oh, there's also the reason where people just want their own personal fortress just because they can. cough __________________ TSF Networking Team Virus/Trojan/Spyware Removal Help Donate! Last edited by Cellus; 10-05-2006 at 05:03 PM.