18th January 2001
"I want my computer to be secure when I get online." Do you realize that's an oxymoron? Even with the tightest system, I can safely say that there will always be at least one vulnerability present. Linux is more robust for networked environments, but like any operating system, you can be stewed if you don't set it up properly. Microsoft's consumer Windows series is quaint; the job will get done, but cutting corners could cause chaos. Security? Firewall. Security? Stealth mode. "But Windows 2000 isn't..." Don't look at it for what it is NOT, but rather at what it is: an operating system better suited for a constantly-connected computer. I'm discovering new command line network tools every day! Lockergnomie Bruce Stanko told me about PATHPING -- an extended utility that provides more network routing details than the popular PING command. Lockergnomie Robert Gauthier clued me into the ROUTE command -- which manipulates network routing tables. With it, I can see a little bit more about my local network. How does this all tie in together? Everybody has PC problems, but with the right tools in hand, they can be solved more easily. Not to say that ME doesn't work -- it just didn't. At least, for me.