Security breaches with Networking

[devst8n]

Hey guys I am about to share my roomies and mine PC with the internet. I have two nics being used, one to connect to the dsl modem and the other for the network. Im wondering if anyone out there would know how secure it would be to use netbios to share files between the pcs. Any ideas how I can set up to use tcp/ip instead? I am running 2 machines, one win98 se and the other winme. And no, i know I can do it with a router/firewall and such but I looking for a cheap way to do this

[DSTech]

I know W98SE and WinME both have ICS, and I don't think there should be any issues between them between the 2 OSs. As for the security and using netbios, I'll have to let the pros answer you there. I went that way once and opted out after a couple weeks and bought my router for security reasons. I figure between the Router's NAT and my Firewall software, it be pretty hard to break into my system, so long as I don't open the door myself. I would personally still recommend getting the router, then one I'm using by Linksys (BEFSR41) was recommended to me and I did some research after the recommendation before buying, and I must say I am very pleased with it. I know it can be purchased nowadays for like $75 (staying home from the bars one weekend outta cover the price), when I bought it it was like double that.

-Danyll
>>IMHO $75 isnt too much to spend for the peace of mind you'll receive<<

[Ahcoraj]

Here's an interesting page i found on the subject, hope it helps....G

<a href="http://cable-dsl.home.att.net/netbios.htm" target="_blank">http://cable-dsl.home.att.net/netbios.htm</a>

[Computer Tech NE]

Use ICS. Then install the ICS config program and block port 139(as well as most of the others) and open any gaming ports as needed).