Actiontec electronic Wireless-Ready - Manual (Page 53)

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Actiontec Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway
With both types of Internet connections, access to the computer must be con-
trolled to make sure someone on the Internet doesn’t access the information on
the computer. The longer the computer is connected to the Internet, the easier it is
for someone on the Internet to find the computer and attempt to access it without
permission. DSL service also provides fast Internet connections. This not only
improves Internet performance, it also improves Internet performance for anyone
attempting to access the computer.
Gateway Security
If connecting to the ISP through Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), be sure to provide
the Gateway an password. If a password is not set, someone on the Internet can
access the Gateway and change its configuration or steal your PPP login name and
password. For instructions on setting the password, see the “Advanced Setup chap-
ter.
If connecting to the ISP through bridging mode, the Gateway is safe from unwar-
ranted and illegal intrusion.
Computer Security
To protect the valuable information on the computer, review the following topics.
These topics cover software programs and operating system features affecting the
security of the computer’s data.
Anti-Virus Programs
The computer should have an anti-virus program, and the virus definitions
should be updated on a regular basis – at least once a month.
E-Mail Attachments
Never run a program received as an attachment to an e-mail message unless the
program is known to be safe. A program from an unknown source can delete all
the files on the computer’s hard disk or install a “backdoor” software application
that lets people on the Internet gain access to the computer without permission.