Why Ping does not Work [Archive]

Chuck

August 18th 04, 06:30 PM

On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 09:32:55 -0700, "Chaplain Doug"
> wrote:

>I cannot ping our remote server (which is connected to the
>Internet), nor can I ping my server here in Richmond from
>my home computer. However, I can ping my home computer
>from my server in Richmond, and I can ping my home
>computer from my remote server. Is there something I need
>to turn on on our remote and Richmond servers (Windows
>2000 Server) to allow them to be pinged?

Doug,

Your servers are probably behind firewalls or routers that either block, or do
not forward, pings. The days of routinely responding to a ping are long gone -
net paranoia prevents it.

If you are able to ping your home computer, it is probably improperly protected,
and possibly wide open to the worm of the month. Please protect yourself, and
the rest of the internet.

Protection requires a good layered defense. Each layer is necessary because no
layer produces complete protection.

The first layer is a NAT router (hardware firewall). If you have broadband
internet, or PPP-compatible dialup internet, you can and should use a hardware
firewall.

The second layer is a software firewall, or a port monitor like Port Explorer
(free) from <http://www.diamondcs.com.au/portexplorer/index.php?page=home>. See
various discussions in comp.security.firewall for good advice on choosing a
firewall.

The third layer is good software. This layer has multiple components.

AntiVirus protection. Realtime, plus a regularly scheduled virus scan.
Regularly updated.

Adware / spyware protection. Realtime, plus a regularly run adware / spyware
scan. Regularly updated.
Complete instructions, using Spybot S&D and HijackThis (both free) are here:
<http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=227>.

Harden your browser. There are various websites which will check for
vulnerabilities, here are three which I use.
http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/
http://bcheck.scanit.be/bcheck/
https://testzone.secunia.com/browser_checker/

Block Internet Explorer ActiveX scripting from hostile websites (Restricted
Zone).
<https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/main.htm> (IE-SpyAd)

Block known dangerous scripts from installing.
<http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html>

Block known spyware from installing.
<http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html>

Make sure that the spyware detection / protection products that you use are
reliable:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

Harden your operating system. Check at least monthly for security updates.
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

Block possibly dangerous websites with a Hosts file. Three Hosts file sources I
use:
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/get_hosts.html
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
(The third is included, and updated, with Spybot (see above)).

Maintain your Hosts file (merge / eliminate duplicate entries) with:
eDexter <http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/get_hosts.html>
Hostess <http://accs-net.com/hostess/>

Secure your operating system, and applications. Don't use, or leave activated,
any accounts with names or passwords with trivial (guessable) values. Don't use
an account with administrative authority, except when you're intentionally doing
administrative tasks.

The fourth layer is common sense. Yours. Don't install software based upon
advice from unknown sources. Don't install free software, without researching
it carefully. Don't open email unless you know who it's from, and how and why
it was sent.

The fifth layer is education. Know what the risks are. Stay informed. Read
Usenet, and various web pages that discuss security problems. Check the logs
from the other layers regularly, look for things that don't belong, and take
action when necessary.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.