Microsoft Vista Home Networking Setup and Options
The most daunting part of upgrading to Windows Vista may be trying to figure out where in the layers of menus the networking and file-sharing options are hidden.
Tips for Securing Your Home Router
Seemingly minor and easily overlooked settings can still have profound security implications. Here are some steps you can take to make sure your wired or wireless home router — and by extension, your network — is as secure as possible.
Most Popular Reviews
Microsoft Windows Home Server
If you have a home network, you'll welcome the easy file sharing, remote access and the image-based backup features of Windows Home Server.
Iomega StorCenter Network Hard Drive
Iomega's fourth generation StorCenter Network Hard Drive brings many of the features found in higher-end storage devices down to an attractive price.
MikroTik's The Dude
This free tool delivers many of the same capabilities that you'd find in pricey network monitoring tools. As long as you don't mind tinkering, The Dude is a decent network utility that should be worth the download.
NOTE! Don't changethe settings for any of your Internet applications
on the computer that is running the Proxy software. Applications
on the Sharing computer have direct access to the Internet connection and
don't need to use the Proxy server!
ALSO NOTE! If you have:
installed a NAT based program like Sygate, or
are using Wingate 3.0 Home or
are using Wingate 3.0 Pro or Standard AND are running the Wingate
Client on your Client computers
you should not follow these instructions. All you need to do is properly configure your Client computer(s)' TCP/IP
properties according to the program's instructions.These instructions should be followed only if you are using a Proxy
based program and only on the Client computers.
Now, go to your sharing Client and do the following:
Bring up your browser. If the modem on the Client
computer starts dialing, just stop it. You'll have to fix
that problem later.
You need to find the proxy settings for your browser.
For Netscape Navigator (version 3.x),
go to the Options menu and select Network Preferences.
Select the Proxies tab.
Select the Manual Proxy Configuration button,
then click the View... button
Type 192.168.0.1 in the "HTTP Proxy"
field and 80 in the "Port" field.
Click on OK to close each of the dialog boxes.
For Netscape Navigator (version 4.x),
go to the Edit menu and select Preferences.
Click on the "+" sign next to Advanced.
Click on Proxies, click the Manual Proxy Selection
"radio"button, then click on the View button.
Type 192.168.0.1 in the "HTTP Proxy"
field and 80 in the "Port" field.
Click on OK to close each of the dialog boxes.
For Internet Explorer (version 3.x),
go to the Edit menu and select Preferences.
Select Network, select Proxies.
Click the Enabled button.
Leave "Protocol" as All, leave "Method"
as Normal.
Type 192.168.0.1 in the "Address:http//"
field and 80 in the "Port" field.
Don't enter anything in the "User name:" or
"Password" fields and don't check the "Use proxy
for local servers".
Click on OK to close the dialog box.
For Internet Explorer (version 4.x),
go to the View menu and select Internet Options.
Select Network, select Proxies.
Click the Connections tab.
Check the box next to "Access the Internet using
a proxy server."
Type 192.168.0.1 in the "Address"
field and 80 in the "Port" field.
Check the "Bypass proxy server for local (Intranet)
servers" box.
Make sure "Connect to the Internet using a local
area network." is selected.
Click on OK to close the dialog box.
Go to the proxy computer and bring the Gatekeeper window
to the front.
Go to the Client computer and either click the Home button
on your browser or enter your favorite URL.
If you are using a dial-up connection, you should hear the
modem on the Client computer dial and connect to your ISP. In
the meantime, the browser should look like it's waiting to download
a page. After the modem connections and starts the network connection,
you should see http activity in Gatekeeper's window (this may appear
and disappear quickly, so watch closely!) and the page should load.
If you are using a cable modem, you should see http activity
in Gatekeeper's window (this may appear and disappear quickly, so
watch closely!) and the page should load.
Congratulations! You've successfully set up your proxy
server for HTTP/WWW access!
Now before you go off and surf on your newly shared computer, you need
to secure your LAN so that you don't
open any security holes on either your network or that of your cable
net provider.