Fixed IP Address ? Getting Hacked ?

Confused Newbie · 08-07-2006, 22:10

Hi, am Newbie to this and not at all technical either but thought I might see if any kind person can help.

We have a home PC with NTL broadband. We have Symantec Internet Security Suite (Anti Virus Edition) installed. In the last six months our Symantec has been turned off 4 times (it asks for the product code to be re-entered). Our local computer shop have said that its because NTL do not change their IP addresses even though they say they change them every two days and that, once the hacker has worked out most of our IP address, he only has to spent a short time before working out the rest! This is driving us bananas and is obviously very insecure. We are now seriously considering leaving NTL. However, I have read a lot of your forums which seem to indicate that people DO want a fixed IP address. I dont understand this when my computer bods state that we dont!. Any comments would be gratefully received. Many thanks. SAM PS Our computer states that the "lease" lasts only 2 days at a time. There only appears to be one DHCP Server.

**Graham M** · 08-07-2006, 22:13

Im sorry but your local computer shop is talking complete rubbish!

Confused Newbie · 08-07-2006, 22:17

Hi, Thanks for prompt reply. Are you then saying that I should have a fixed IP address and that NTL does provide them? Am truly confused now!

**Graham M** · 08-07-2006, 22:25

The IP Address isn't truely fixed and can change for many reasons, it is fixed usually for a period of time but it's nothing to be worried about with a firewall protecting you.

Confused Newbie · 08-07-2006, 22:29

okay, if that's the case then there must be something wrong with the Internet Security Suite 2006! May look into getting something else then! Did have Zone Alarm Plus but had terrible problems with the upgrade last year and eventually cut our losses, abandoned it, and installed Symantec. Looks like we are back to square one!

**Graham M** · 08-07-2006, 22:30

I would never recommend Norton, to be honest ZoneAlarm I don't give much attention too but there are plenty of decent, free firewalls that I'm sure can be recommended.

Confused Newbie · 08-07-2006, 22:31

Thanks for that. Will surf other "boards" within this site and make an informed decision (hopefully).

**Paul M** · 08-07-2006, 22:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeph

Im sorry but your local computer shop is talking complete rubbish!

Yep, complete & utter rubbish.

I can't quite work out why Symantec would turn itself off for a fixed ip address (or indeed for a dynamic one either) - sounds broken to me.

Not many ISP's provide long term fixed ip addresses, ntl certainly don't - they can stay the same for months, but they will change eventually.

Confused Newbie · 08-07-2006, 22:48

The computer shop said that the hacker himself was managing to turn off Symantec (because of the supposed "static" IP address) - must admit that I was surprised but dont know enough to question it.

**David F** · 08-07-2006, 22:50

Buy a router and connect through that.The ip then terminates and the router and your allocated a local address

And seeing as noone else has ill

you to the forum

Confused Newbie · 08-07-2006, 22:52

Thank you. You've all been most kind.

**Graham M** · 08-07-2006, 22:55

Nope not possible, you said in your first post that Symantec was asking for you to re-enter your product code, a subscription to Symantec Software only lasts a year. Perhaps that could explain it

**Paul M** · 09-07-2006, 01:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Confused Newbie

The computer shop said that the hacker himself was managing to turn off Symantec (because of the supposed "static" IP address)

My advice - find another computer shop - because the one you are using don't seem to have a clue what they are talking about.

Confused Newbie · 09-07-2006, 13:17

Re your thoughts:

The Symantec does not expire until Sept.

I will go to another local shop to see what they say!

Thanks again

**Graham M** · 09-07-2006, 13:18

Just not PC World