Security Basics mailing list archives

RE: Would you pay more ...


From: "Mosley, Larry" <Larry_Mosley () stercomm com>
Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2004 07:57:14 -0400

I wouldn't pay more because I like the flexibility and you can never tell
when you might need additional ports. I'm capable of securing my incoming
connections (one of the reasons I have a hardware firewall). 

Actually, it seems like you should pay less since you are getting less
flexibility. For small businesses this might not be a good option because
you may be running software that needs one of the unlisted ports open. For
home users it would be very good, but it would be better if the ISP would
simply include a hardware firewall with the package. 

Finally, some ISPs (Roadrunner here in Columbus, OH) offer a 'business
class' package that includes a firewall that they configure plus guaranteed
bandwidth Yes you do pay more but in this instance you are also getting more
in the form of a firewall (Cisco I believe) and QOS. 

I'm not in the ISP field, but as an end-user this is my opinion on it.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff [mailto:Jeff@Not_A_Real_Address.com]
Sent: Friday, July 02, 2004 2:57 PM
To: security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: Would you pay more ...


Regarding standard consumer broadband connections ...

Would you pay more to only have the following destination ports open
to the internet originating from your broadband modem:

      tcp  21 - ftp
      tcp  22 - ssh
      tcp  25 - smtp
tcp, udp  53 - dns
      tcp  80 - www
      tcp 110 - pop3
      tcp 119 - nntp
      udp 123 - ntp
      tcp 443 - secure www

(Arguments for/against specific ports solicited. I purposely left
some out that I don't use. Curious how significant they are to
others. IMAP4 and icmp protocols come to mind)

ALTERNATIVELY, would you like it if this was the STANDARD package and
additional ports were considered optional, and required payment.

LASTLY, this could start out as the NEW Secure way to go! It simply
requires that your existing cable modem be upgraded (replaced) at a
cost of $50-$75. All new installations would recieve these as part
of the std pkg.

(I know some small businesses that would LOVE to have this. I know
because they've called me to resolve some "weird problems" and look
at me funny when I tell them that they should have had a firewall all
along.)

I would REALLY like to hear from those of you that work in the ISP
field. I have always been on the receiving end of an ISP -- never
worked in that trench. But I suspect that this type of firewall could
be built into every single cable/dsl modem used at little expense.
Indeed, could save lots of money on bandwidth.

Consider Grandma now ... she typically isn't a gamer and need other
ports open. Nor does she work at home and require a vpn. BUT she is
the MOST likely to get hit by some exploit, and it's her damned box
(x 1,000,000) uselessly eating up bandwidth because some smart-aleck
*&#$ing script kiddie bas(*&#$

.... ohm-yelli-mon ... ohm-yelli-mon ... OK, ok, better.


Jeff



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any course! All of our class sizes are guaranteed to be 10 students or less 
to facilitate one-on-one interaction with one of our expert instructors. 
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of an Ethical Hacker to better assess the security of your organization. 
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