Hi...

I have 2 pc's that are connected to the internet, my PC is connected directly to the internet through a cable modem! The other PC is connected through my PC to the ineternet using ICS (Internet Connection Sharing).

Now, my question is:
How can I block MSN Messenger on the other PC? The one that connect's through my PC to the internet?

Thanks..

I don't think you can do that through just ICS. ICS is not a full proxy server where you can control what goes through it. I would strongly recommend getting a broadband router instead of using ICS. Broadband routers are inexpensive nowadays. But they will provide a faster, more stable and more secure network. You should also be able to block the port that Messenger uses on the router.

You may also try installing free ZoneAlarm on the other computer and not allowing that application to access the internet. Depends how savvy the user is on the other PC since if they know what to do they could change that setting.

I'm not sure if ICS allows this kind of flexibility (I doubt it).

I would say the best solution, as ScottGem said, is to get a "residential" router (with switch). This will give you a great deal of power to do what you need to do, and provide you with a nice, dedicated hardware firewall...

I use a Linksys WRT54G. The amount of configurability its web interface provides is impressive... (and the thing runs linux, so you can change a whole bunch of things you don't need to :) )..

Thanks a lot...
That was very helpful!

I have now another question:
I have a direct Internet connection, that means that I don't need to enter a username and password to connect to the Internet, my ISP assign my cable modem an ip directly!
Note: my ip address is dynamic, not static!

Is it possible to configure the router without the need of a dialer?
I'm plannig to buy this one: D-LINK DI604.

Thanks in advance...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nightfox

I have now another question:
I have a direct Internet connection, that means that I don't need to enter a username and password to connect to the Internet, my ISP assign my cable modem an ip directly!
Note: my ip address is dynamic, not static!

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Yes, it should provide this functionality. Just tell the web interface you want to use DHCP and it will work...

Nightfox,
I also have a cable connection with dynamic IP. In practice, because the connection is always on and because the DHCP lease expiration is 3 days, you, in effect have a static IP. But that still doesn't matter. The IP is assigned to the cable modem. The router will pick up whatever IP it detects from the cable modem.

The best way to block messenger applications is to set up port blocking. Block the port on which messenger uses to connect and the other PC will not be able to use messenger. To get around it yourself you can change the port that your messenger connects on.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by anarchy

block the port on which messenger uses to connect and the other pc will not be able to use messenger.

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Thanks for you all...
Now I have the router (Dlink di-604), and I know how to block a port!
But don't know what ports Msn Messenger is using!
Can you tell me please what port does Msn Messenger use?

Where can I find a list of programs and the ports they are using?

Thanks in advace.

Hi,
Here is a link you can use for a search:

http://www.weethet.nl/english/ipports.php

Scroll down to the heading "Search all Ports an Application Uses", to see what to type in for the search.

Best of luck,
fredg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fredg

Hi,
Here is a link you can use for a search:

http://www.weethet.nl/english/ipports.php

Scroll down to the heading "Search all Ports an Application Uses", to see what to type in for the search.

Best of luck,
fredg

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Thanks a lot Fredg! That was very helpful... :)