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Just use a VPN. Wouldn't that encrypt/cloak everything on your end?
Some people equate VPN to having security/protection which is wrong. It merely creates a Virtual Private Network (connection) for mainly anonymity and privacy.
Whatever protection or security it offers, it'd merely be for that specific connection it is used for. That is it. It doesn't protect your device or network.
Some people use it so they can circumvent location based restrictions on certain sites and access things that they weren't able to using normal connection.
Example: Netflix not allowing access to certain shows because of your location/area but by using VPN and hypothetically appearing to be connecting from somewhere you are able to watch that show.
Companies typically use software based VPN to allow their remote workers to connect to the company's local resources and network. So, it is like they are working on their office computer and accessing things locally (Intranet).
A software or firewall is a completely different thing. A router/firewall is like a traffic cop, it monitors the network traffic so, it can direct traffic (packets) accordingly. At a firewall level, it monitors/control incoming and outgoing connection requests based on security settings. It is the first and can be the most effective tools against hackers and even malicious software if configured correctly.
Last edited by TurcoLoco; 10-19-2023 at 09:03 PM..
Some people equate VPN to having security/protection which is wrong. It merely creates a Virtual Private Network (connection) for mainly anonymity and privacy.
Surprised to see you say that. VPN absolutely provides security in addition to what you're talking about.
If I am at Panera I can use their wifi and my VPN to make a secure connection into my network that includes full encryption. VPN is so secure, in the 'old' days when I needed to download Cicso's VPN I had to select a checkbox "I will not allow this software to fall in to the wrong hands, like Afghanistan or other countries"...because it provides a very high level of uncrackable security.
You open a CommandLine window (Windows Key + R > cmd > OK) on your personal computer and type:
ipconfig
when it spits out bunch of information, you are looking for the line that starts with "IPv4 Address...."
That would be your IP address (number) 192.168.xxx.xxx
So, on your work computer you open the CommandLine window and type:
ping 192.168.xxx.xxx (whatever the actual number is)
If it shows something like: "Reply from 192.168.xxx.xxx: Destination host unreachable"
Then it would mean they are not on the same network.
If the result shows something like "General failure" then ping action was being blocked on that computer, more than likely due to a system restriction or software firewall but that is uncommon.
My question is why do you suspect they would do such a thing? Are you a contractor or is this some sort of a high security or government type job?
Also, what they gave you is all standard except for the firewall. Why did they give you one and are you sure it is a firewall?
If they were going to spy on you, I would think they'd use a software type backend connection provided their computer and yours would be on the same network.
If you have a valid reason or paranoid enough to test, install a free software firewall like SimpleWall and it will alert you of all connections, incoming and outgoing.
Surprised to see you say that. VPN absolutely provides security in addition to what you're talking about.
If I am at Panera I can use their wifi and my VPN to make a secure connection into my network that includes full encryption. VPN is so secure, in the 'old' days when I needed to download Cicso's VPN I had to select a checkbox "I will not allow this software to fall in to the wrong hands, like Afghanistan or other countries"...because it provides a very high level of uncrackable security.
You just confirmed what I said; the only security and privacy it offers is for the very connection itself that it is used for, nothing else. In other words, the data being transmitted might be secure (to a certain degree) from outside monitoring or instruction but if the data itself is bad then...if the user connects to a malicious domain or clicks on a malicious link while on a VPN connection, they are still very much vulnerable.
The VPN connection will not protect against such threats which is the main concern for most people. It does NOT secure or protect your network or your machine like a firewall or web security software. That is the distinction I was trying to make.
I have seen so many, come in the shop with VPN and the users were confused as to why their machine was compromised despite having an AV scanner and VPN. For some people, it creates a false sense of protection, imho.
the only security and privacy it offers is for the very connection itself that it is used for, nothing else.
But that's REALLY important. It's kind of the point for most. or should be. "I want Netflix from the UK" I guess would be a much smaller group of people. LOL
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In other words, the data being transmitted might be secure (to a certain degree)
the connection is secure to the nth degree. There's literally nothing more secure.
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The VPN connection will not protect against such threats which is the main concern for most people.
I disagree. The main concern for people is having encrypted traffic so I can do my online banking form Panera...not..."I'm worried about clicking a bad link".
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It does NOT secure or protect your network or your machine like a firewall or web security software. That is the distinction I was trying to make.
This is, of course, true.
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For some people, it creates a false sense of protection, imho.
You just confirmed what I said; the only security and privacy it offers is for the very connection itself that it is used for, nothing else. In other words, the data being transmitted might be secure (to a certain degree) from outside monitoring or instruction but if the data itself is bad then...if the user connects to a malicious domain or clicks on a malicious link while on a VPN connection, they are still very much vulnerable.
The VPN connection will not protect against such threats which is the main concern for most people. It does NOT secure or protect your network or your machine like a firewall or web security software. That is the distinction I was trying to make.
I have seen so many, come in the shop with VPN and the users were confused as to why their machine was compromised despite having an AV scanner and VPN. For some people, it creates a false sense of protection, imho.
I just downloaded from there and it said something about defender wall but I still continue and now norton is telling me that it's a threat... How do I even use it? How do I know if someone is on my computer?
I was using my laptop yesterday and I saw a windows 32 black screen appear 2 times. Then I was reading something from a website and I saw where the arrow was it was highlighted circle or something like that. This means they hacked into my personal computer? What should I do now? This was many hours before I installed simple wall.
I got windows 32 black screens 2 times in a row then I continued using it and noticed a faded circle area like it was being focused on what I was reading. I did factory reset right now. What program should I download that is free to prevent from getting hacked?
You should run a supported version of Windows with all the updates. Third-party programs have questionable value compared to the protections built into Windows.
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Was my computer hacked?
