Network/Internet security for small business

[Makaze]

Hey all, I have a friend who is starting an internet cafe' and would like to know if any of you have some good sugestions for software or anything on how to put up some good security on the network and internet. She is going to have 15 pc's runing ME all networked through a router connected to a DSL internet connection... any suggestions or help would be great

what kind of router will he be running?

you could load zonealarm on each computer to protect the outgoing information, but you need to purchase licenses.

Make sure each computer has anti-virus and is updated. as for the system, the person might want to consider win2k/winxp for system security as you will have random people coming onto the computer (and trust me you will have morons trying stupid stuff)

is he looking for any kind of filtering for the computer to block out porn or anything?

[vass0922]

first of all WRONG OS
Use 2k/XP for something like that.

Otherwise make sure you put in a strong policy on the machines to make sure people don't have permission to install crap... THEY WILL

Antivirus is required as GZ mentioned

Your biggest problem will be security with that OS
You'll be cleaning spyware daily

If its on an NT network you should be able to enforce some sort of group policies on the machines.

another idea, is to use something called a pc protector card

what it does is makes an image on the hardrive of a good working os. let the kids go wide on it. as soon as it restarts, he good image is copied over. works like a charm in our schools running win 95

[Makaze]

This is the switch she ordered:

SMC EZNET-16SW Dual-Speed Desktop Switch - 16 Ports

I did suggest to use 2k/XP for an OS and she hasn't ordered it yet, but hopefully she'll go with my orig suggestion *prays hard*

I know she's going to be running her primary browser as IE and is going to probably get Norton for the Virus protector, but I didn't know if there were any good programs out there to monitor/restrict internet use and also the same the for network accessability....

[Dj-Icer]

What type of network topology is it?

Star bus will be a good one for you

[Makaze]

forgive me if I sound stupid...but.... network topology?

[VaTech]

Screw ME. Go with a real OS. XP has some additional protection that might be nice.

Originally posted by Makaze
forgive me if I sound stupid...but.... network topology?

http://www.its.bldrdoc.gov/fs-1037/dir-024/_3535.htm

[muno]

I'd, too, change the workstations to w2k, and run a w2k-server at the router. Add an isa server in it, and your network will be pretty secure.

I'd restrict the program usage, so that only authorized programs can be run.
-M