[Eug-lug] AVG virus protection software

Wed Dec 6 14:29:33 PST 2006

On Wed, Dec 06, 2006 at 01:18:33PM -0800, Garl Grigsby wrote:
> Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:18:33 -0800
> From: Garl Grigsby <badd_karma at comcast.net>
> To: Eugene Unix and Gnu/Linux User Group <euglug at euglug.org>
> Subject: Re: [Eug-lug] AVG virus protection software
> 
> Brian Gallagher wrote:
> >>Buy a higher gain antenna. Better yet, buy two. One for the client 
> >>and one for the WAP. I've used these [1] in the past and they are 
> >>well worth the money. Gained an extra 200 feet in one direction and a 
> >>solid signal through three walls in th other. If you watch you can 
> >>get them for < 15 shipped after rebate. Or you could always build 
> >>your own antenna...
> >I would like to have a conversation with you about antennas.  Ben 
> >recommended a bridge and I appreciate that offer, but this wireless 
> >share is transitory.  Wireless bridges are generally expensive and if 
> >the share situation changes I could end up with a bridge to nowhere, 
> >so to speak.
> Buy a WRT54GL (The 'L' is important). They run ~$50-$60. Replace the OS 

Its often easier to get an older version of the wrt54g/gs, which will 
also run different OS's (such as DD-WRT, Hyperwrt, sveasoft's thing, 
...) check out wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrt54g 
Armed with that info, you can go to ebay (or wherever you like best), 
and find usable unit. 
I have several of these units (no, not parting with any!), and ive done 
a lot with them. I currently has a wds bridge network with 3 routers 
using both hyperwrt, and dd-wrt. I think i like the dd-wrt better 
though, and will likely change everything over to dd-wrt.

I used one of these units in client mode, and put the extended range 
antennna on it, and turn up the xmit power (84mw when i did it,but now 
you can crank it up to 251mw!!!) it rocked.

> with one of the 'enhanced' versions. I know that they will do bridging 
> [1]. The nice thing with this unit is when you are done you can either 
> use it as a wifi/firewall or sell it easily.
> >The picture of the high gain antenna that you suggest show the antenna 
> >on a pedestal, held down with a nut.  Do I remove the nut and fasten 
> >antenna onto the post of the WAP w/ its antenna removed or is there 
> >some connecting hardware not shown?
> The Antenna is on pedestal with a short cable, maybe 24". You can get 
> longer cables, but as I understand it, the longer the cable the more 
> signal loss, but don't quote me on that. My knowledge of radio antennas 
> is all experimental. The antenna can be mounted to the wall using 
> screws, but I always just set it next to the WAP or on top of the 
> computer. If you want something attached I know that a number of people 

Antanna position is critical... I suppose this needs to be said, maybe 
its too obvious? but moving the antenna to a spot it will get the best 
signal (like next to a window, or outside, on the roof, ....) will 
likely make the biggest difference! I assume you moved the antanna (or 
laptop or whatever...) and checked for the best signal.

Jamie

> make screw on replacement antennas but it all depends the card/WAP you 
> are using and the antenna connection. Personally the screw on types 
> never seem to work that well behind the computer. I always had better 
> luck when they were above the case. On the WAP, they seem to work OK.
> >Building an antenna sounds interesting, do you have "hands on" 
> >experience there?  I would need some tech help on that.
> Google is your friend. You can google the word cantenna [2]. This link 
> [3] was buried in my list of 'things I want to look at when I have 
> time'. It has info on a bunch of antennas.
> >>What card are you using?
> >
> >I have four cards, all D-link.  I have no allegiance to D-Link, I just 
> >bought a set, on sale: wireless router, PCI and USB cards when I got 
> >started looking into wireless.   I am working on the assumption that I 
> >have to test these cards under Windows to prove a "known good" status 
> >before delving into the Linux unknown.
> >
> >DWL-G510 (PCI)  this card had a history of flakyness under WinMe (hey, 
> >its Me what did I expect.  I haven't tried it under XP.  The one thing 
> >PCI does seem to have is greater range!)
> >
> >DWL-G520 (PCI) this card was found  in a computer by side of the road 
> >that some Frat Boys had take a baseball bat to.  Status unknown.
> I don't know what to say to this....
> >
> >DWL-G120 (USB) this card is the one I use primarily.  It has a long 
> >dongle cord and I have it run up the wall close to the ceiling.  When 
> >I was playing with setting it up with Ubuntu I ran into the "which rev 
> >is the chipset issue."  I chickened out on opening the housing to view 
> >the chipset, as this is my web access, unless I want to sit in the 
> >cold garage and I don't.
> >
> >DWL-G122 (USB) this card in promising.  Ubuntu showed a Marvel 
> >chipset, if I remember correctly.  The issue with these thumb drive 
> >type wireless cards is signal range; and with a short dongle cord to a 
> >pedestal base,  I can't work the antenna directionality as I would like.
> USB extension cables are cheap... The other issue is that you usually 
> can't replace the antennas on USB NICs. So if you go for the USB then 
> your best be would be to move the device around until you get a better 
> signal.
> >
> >Give me till after the holidays, I would like to revisit this 
> >discussion and solve this problem once and for all.  Also, I got a 
> >how-to specific to this DWL-122 card and Ubuntu and it mentioned the 
> >software setup.  I'll have to find that documentation.
> >
> >As with everything Linux, while I've been frittering, someone has 
> >already solved the issue and I just need to update my OS version, etc, 
> >etc. will probably be the case.
> >>>Here is my question: should I stop worrying about virus protection 
> >>>and make implementing Linux wireless my top priority, because virus 
> >>>threats are low under Linux; Therefore, would I be better off 
> >>>running Linux, with no virus protection, then to keep working with 
> >>>windows and outdated AVG software?
> >>That's up to you. If you are going to keep using windows, then get an 
> >>A/V solution. Also, make sure you are running Firefox and Thunderbird.
> >I am running Firefox and Thunderbird.
> >
> Good man.
> 
> -Garl
> 
> [1] http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless_Bridge
> [2] 
> http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1B2GGGL_enUS175&q=cantenna
> [3] http://www.seattlewireless.net/AntennaHowTo
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