2 different pc - one single internet provider

Heorot

Estimable
Jan 19, 2015
4
0
4,510
Hello,
I wonder if you could help me with this question. Say I have to different pc and one single internet provider. I intend to use one for regular/everyday activities and the other pc to surf the net freely, with no limitation, even at the risk of getting viruses. The two pc will never be on or connected at the same time.
If my second pc gets infected, will the second one ever risk me, sharing the same internet connection (same IP address?). As for a dumb example, the cookies follow the IP address or the machine?
I realize that I am probably confused. So, feel free to also correct me.
Thank you guys for your help!
 
Solution


The public IP address, yes. Your ISP gives you one IP address. That is what the outside world sees. Your router creates multiple internal IP addresses. Generally 192.168.1.xxx. That is only seen inside your LAN.

For instance, the servers here at Tom's (or any other server or network) sees your public IP address.
If I were able to look at the server log here, it would see me as 74.110.xxx.xxx.
The internal IP address of this PC is 192.168.1.something. A different PC here in the house might be 192.168.1.something+1.

But both would be seen by the Tom's server as 74.110.xxx.xxx. All flowing through the same Verizon connection.

Neur0nauT

Estimable
Dec 1, 2014
88
0
4,660
Unless you are sharing folders or files within your local area network between each system like for example in a workgroup, it is unlikely for a virus to pass between both systems without any direct intervention.

That is not to say that a more complex worm-like virus cannot port scan a LAN and infect any PC on the same subnet with open ports or vulnerabilities. But these types of virus would be rare.

So its not impossible.
 

Heorot

Estimable
Jan 19, 2015
4
0
4,510
I will add two more thing. The second pc will have a Linux OS, the other a classic windows. The second aspect is that my final goal is to (at least once) surf on the deep net to see what's it like.
I want to be careful cuz on the "family" pc, I have pictures that it would kill me to loose; not to mention the fact that I buy stuff on amazon or manage my bank account with it.
Should I worry. If so I would just put a stop to my curiosity.
 

USAFRet

Illustrious
Moderator


While anything is 'possible', with that setup you are 99.8% fine.

But going in a different direction...for your family pics, etc...you really, really need a backup of those. Any file that lives on one and only one drive may be said to not exist at all. You are one drive crash (or virus/whatever) away from losing them forever.
 

Neur0nauT

Estimable
Dec 1, 2014
88
0
4,660


If you are using a Linux build, there would be less chance of contracting a virus to infect your Windows OS, as viruses are usually only coded to infect a single type of OS.

If you are that worried about it, then you should consider backing up any of your important files or data before you think venturing into the deep web. It is in there that you would definitely be more susceptible to hackers and contracting a nasty virus onto you system. More likely a hacker.

 

USAFRet

Illustrious
Moderator
For the truly paranoid, however...consider this:

The NSA and other organizations routinely scan those networks. And your ISP almost certainly rolls over and gives them their own logs. So your outside IP address will be in their database.

(cue Twilight Zone music)
 

USAFRet

Illustrious
Moderator


The public IP address, yes. Your ISP gives you one IP address. That is what the outside world sees. Your router creates multiple internal IP addresses. Generally 192.168.1.xxx. That is only seen inside your LAN.

For instance, the servers here at Tom's (or any other server or network) sees your public IP address.
If I were able to look at the server log here, it would see me as 74.110.xxx.xxx.
The internal IP address of this PC is 192.168.1.something. A different PC here in the house might be 192.168.1.something+1.

But both would be seen by the Tom's server as 74.110.xxx.xxx. All flowing through the same Verizon connection.
 
Solution