I'm writing to ask if there may be an easy, better solution to keeping random internet hackers out of my limited home network. I haven't been (to the best of my knowledge) hacked before, but would like to stay ahead of the curve.
The system as currently configured is
1) a simple (motorola sb5100) cable modem connected by ethernet cable to
2) an original model time capsule (500 gb) that is secured by separate 15 character passwords for base station identity, wireless network name, and time capsule hard drive.
3) the time capsule serves a 2008 macpro (OS 10.5.7) by direct ethernet connection. It also distributes wireless signal to an early macbook pro (OS 10.5.7) by 802.11n (WPA2 and MAC address filtering), and an older airport express (802.11b/g) that extends the network under WPA to an even older imac (802.11b) that runs OS 10.4.
a) the laptop and macpro OS 10.5 application firewalls are set to stealth mode for minimal incoming services and the ipfw hasn't been touched. The iMac needs to be dealt with.
I think the wireless portion is under control and the macpro/MBP pass the grc.com port scan, so it could be a lot worse. What I'm wondering about is whether:
a) a packet inspecting, cheap wired firewall between the modem and the time capsule would add anything
b) how to deal with Retrospect 8.0, which will let me back up all three machines (the OS 10.4 imac won't do time machine).
Help?
The system as currently configured is
1) a simple (motorola sb5100) cable modem connected by ethernet cable to
2) an original model time capsule (500 gb) that is secured by separate 15 character passwords for base station identity, wireless network name, and time capsule hard drive.
3) the time capsule serves a 2008 macpro (OS 10.5.7) by direct ethernet connection. It also distributes wireless signal to an early macbook pro (OS 10.5.7) by 802.11n (WPA2 and MAC address filtering), and an older airport express (802.11b/g) that extends the network under WPA to an even older imac (802.11b) that runs OS 10.4.
a) the laptop and macpro OS 10.5 application firewalls are set to stealth mode for minimal incoming services and the ipfw hasn't been touched. The iMac needs to be dealt with.
I think the wireless portion is under control and the macpro/MBP pass the grc.com port scan, so it could be a lot worse. What I'm wondering about is whether:
a) a packet inspecting, cheap wired firewall between the modem and the time capsule would add anything
b) how to deal with Retrospect 8.0, which will let me back up all three machines (the OS 10.4 imac won't do time machine).
Help?