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I have 2 Toshiba Laptops connect wirelessly to a Linksys WRT54G which is connect to DSL. Machine A has ZoneAlarm as the firewall. Machine B has Windows as the firewall. They can not see each other but both can access the internet. What have not done or am I doing wrong. I would also like to be able to print wirelessly from both of them.
same workgroup, each has a diff name.
run the network wizard on both.
add new printer, choose network printer, network will come up , choose printer from the list.
in some cases you need to install the printer driver on the wireless computer.
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The software firewalls could be contributing to the problem. Software firewalls become virtually redundant once you're behind a router. What little extra protection they offer (if any) isn't worth the hit on resources.
I run five machines at home, behind a router, and none of them have a software firewall installed (Windows firewall is disabled). I've been running this kind of setup for over five years, and never had any cause for concern.
A router (hardware firewall) is the best firewall you can have.
Please let us know if you found someone's advice to be helpful.
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"Software firewalls become virtually redundant once you're behind a router."
this statement is completely and utterly false!
it might be true regarding the windows firewall (its most important virtue is the inbound protection during the start up routine which can be done without when behind a router firewall), however, having no outbound control is irresponsible unless you fancy the notion of taking part in bot nets and the likes.
furthermore, a lot of applications/processes tend to access the internet for more or less apparent reasons, thus opening your system for 'piggy-backing' exploits.
outbound control and parent check are absolutely essential!
your exemplary surfing behavior may have kept you out of troubles. but this is certainly no argument against decent and widely accepted means of protection.
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I too have never used a firewall after ZoneAlarm 4.
But should you need to know more and want to make your own decision, here is a very good and reliable source of info: http://www.grc.com/su-firewalls.htm
It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.
- Mark Twain
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Thanks for all the help...
I have a few more questions. I have run the Network wizard on both laptops. However on A it asked how is it connected to the network, none of my options are wireless. I am not connected directly to the internet via LAN on either laptop.
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The_Oracle,
"this statement is completely and utterly false!"
Before making this kind of statement, you should be sure of your facts. Nothing you have said supports this statement.
"having no outbound control is irresponsible unless you fancy the notion of taking part in bot nets and the likes."
Any good anti-virus/anti-spyware combination protects a computer from these kinds of infection. Botnets are, after all, just like worms, trojans, etc.
"a lot of applications/processes tend to access the internet for more or less apparent reasons"
If these are legitimate applications/processes blocking them could adversely affect functionality. If they are legitimate, why would you want to block them? If they are illegitimate, a decent anti-spyware program will have done its job and quarantined it, at the very least.
"thus opening your system for 'piggy-backing' exploits"
Again, anti-virus/anti-spyware software takes care of this threat.
Everything you've cited as a reason for using a software firewall (in addition to a router) is in the domain of malware. Malware should be dealt with by anti-virus/anti-spyware programs, not a firewall.
"your exemplary surfing behavior may have kept you out of troubles."
That is so laughable. My "exemplary surfing behavior" takes me to sites that many would consider to be high-risk. Such is my confidence in the security measures in place across my network. I didn't invest so much time and money in obtaining my certifications just to bog down my machines with redundant security measures (software firewalls).
I stand behind my statement: Software firewalls become virtually redundant once you're behind a router. I will add, however, that a good anti-virus/anti-spyware combination is essential. But then, only an idiot would connect to the net without them.
By the way, the URL you have set as your "Homepage" shows my location to be more than 800 miles from my actual location. But why does that not surprise me?
Please let us know if you found someone's advice to be helpful.
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Skorpio,
For all intents and purposes, you are connecting via a LAN (Local Area Network).
Please let us know if you found someone's advice to be helpful.
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external firewall and NAT router appliances provide protection against external intrusion hacking.
however, no hardware of any sort, running outside of a computer, can possibly provide comprehensive protection against the very real dangers from the internal extrusion of your personal and private information.
"If they are legitimate, why would you want to block them?"
IF some malware (that may not be detected by your anti-virus/spyware scanner ... the security companies do have certain 'response times', ya know) hits your computer and starts piggy-backing, a software firewall will alert you immediately.
example: iwantyourPINcode.exe is using a possible exploit in very legitimate application to establish a connection then there is SFA your spyware scanner can do about it. however, a firewall's parent check will warn you and prompt for action.
and don't give me 'bog down' ... some spyware scanners can render even hi spec machines virtually unusable during their scans.
again, your argumentation is completely and utterly false!
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OK, I'll grant that it's wrong of me to presume that everybody is smart enough not to download and install questionable software (the number one source of spyware). For those that download and install every piece of freeware crap they come across, a software firewall wouldn't be a silly idea.
Of course, every computer in every corporate office around the world has a software firewall installed...NOT.
Every PC in every educational facility around the world has a software firewall installed...NOT.
Every computer in every government office around the world.....etc.
See a pattern here? Software only from reputable sources and no software firewall.
But yes, if you want to use whatever freeware you can find, there's a price to pay. You'll probably need a software firewall. But remember, this situation was self-inflicted.
Please let us know if you found someone's advice to be helpful.
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Poor Skorpio.
Wonder if he ever got his printer printing.
It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.
- Mark Twain
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Nice little argument you guys have going here but could someone please help me fix my problem. I can see my now see B from A but not A from B. I still can not print nor see my external hard drive.
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If they are both XP, you need to build an account on each machine for the other machine.
Then share the printer and you should be able to browse to it and print.
Remember the computer that has the printer attached must be on so that you can print to it.
It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.
- Mark Twain
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Seawatch,
The printer is not attached to either computer. I have a NAS HD that the printer is attached to. I have run the network wiz on both machines several times. I can see my wifes computer but can not connect to it. She can not see mine at all.
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So you have at least two separate problems.
Not seeing all the computers on the network and then not being able to print to the printer.
OK, for example, you're wife's computer is named Rose and yours is Bob.
Rose has to have an account for Bob and Bob has to have an account for Rose. Turn off all the firewalls on both machines. Since she can see yours, build an account for your computer, Bob, on her machine.
You should be able to see at least each others Shared Documents folders.
BTW, the Wizard fails more than it works. Just build the accounts. Usually you don't have to reboot, but it wouldn't hurt.
Does your NAS HD have a USB port? A network connection to daisy chain the printer off of? Is The printer a network printer or a USB printer?
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How do I build the account? Yes, the NAS HD has 2 USB ports. I have another HD attached to it and my printer.
Bob can see Rose but Rose can not see Bob.
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Go to Bob and create an account for Rose, just as though she was going to be using Bob's computer. This will allow Rose to see Bob from her computer.
And I may be wrong, but I don't think you can share a USB printer through a NAS HD. I think it needs to attached to a computer, Bob or Rose, or to a print server.
It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.
- Mark Twain
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