Personal webpage hosting

[SahnTokie]

I have the basics down, but my concern right now is security. Here is what I have done and what I hope to do.

I have a broadband connection and created an account with dyndns.org. So at that point, I have a dyndns.org URL (i.e. http://www.blahblah.homeip.net). Then I am also using Windows XP Professional so I am using IIS as my webserver.

At this point, everything works as it should. When someone enters the URL (http://www.blahblah.homeip.net) then it correctly displays the HTML file that I have on my computer. This is the problem though. If someone runs 'tracert blahblah.homeip.net' in their command prompt, it displays my IP address. This is a definate no, no. So what I did was create a redirector account at www.cjb.net so the URL is now 'www.blahblah.cjb.net' and it redirects to 'www.blahblah.homeip.net'. This is great, but if someone were to right-click on one of my links and go to Properties, it displays the redirected URL 'www.blahblah.homeip.net' which ultimately leads back to my IP.

Is there a way to truly hide my IP? For example if I were to use a redirector site and one were to right-click on one of my links, then it would display the cjb.net URL or just the local folder names (i.e. \webpage.html) instead?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Smilin]

Since they ultimately NEED your IP to connect to you I don't think there's a way to avoid them finding out.

 

[JackMDS]

Welcome to AnandTech Network Forum.

It depends who you are hiding from?

 

[SahnTokie]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Welcome to AnandTech Network Forum.

It depends who you are hiding from?

haha, thanks for the welcome. As far as who I am hiding from...well, I just don't really like the idea of my IP being so easily accessible. I think I see what Similin is saying, but there must be someway, right?

I run a few software firewalls on my computer, but obviously there are no guarantees. I run ZoneAlarm and McAfee Firewall.

EDIT

What would be the best way to set up those firewalls? Leave port 80 completely open and block all other ports? (Unless I run FTP or a mailserver...) Thanks again

 

[vi edit]

That's really just one of the things you have to accept when you host a website from your local machine. If you don't like that, I'd suggest signing up for a low fee hosting service offered by companies like http://addaction.net/specials.html.

 

[SahnTokie]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
That's really just one of the things you have to accept when you host a website from your local machine. If you don't like that, I'd suggest signing up for a low fee hosting service offered by companies like http://addaction.net/specials.html.

Hmmm...okay. I guess that's understandable. However, I'm a super cheapo and I really do like the idea of not having to upload my files all the time and not having to worry about limited disk space. Thanks for your help.

One thing though, what about the firewall settings? What is the best way to set up software firewalls in this situation? (I guess in all situations really)

 

[gorgonous656]

The only way you could hide your address is if another machine acted as a front-end proxy to your website. The proxy would retrieve the content from your web server, and send it to the client. The client would only see the IP of the proxy.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: gorgonous656
The only way you could hide your address is if another machine acted as a front-end proxy to your website. The proxy would retrieve the content from your web server, and send it to the client. The client would only see the IP of the proxy.

You could set up a router/firewall and just do NAT behind it and forward port 80. Your router will still show a public IP though.

 

[SahnTokie]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: gorgonous656
The only way you could hide your address is if another machine acted as a front-end proxy to your website. The proxy would retrieve the content from your web server, and send it to the client. The client would only see the IP of the proxy.

You could set up a router/firewall and just do NAT behind it and forward port 80. Your router will still show a public IP though.

haha...Not only is security my concern, but also the thickness of my wallet. In other words, I want a essentially free solution. =/

 

[DarkOrca]

I'm fairly new to server stuff too, but I think it'll be much better to devote your time/effort locking down your IIS rather than hiding your ip

Sooner or later your IP will be exposed or found, but if ur machine is properly locked down it'll be "safe" assuming u don't put confidential info there

 

[DarkOrca]

sorry, clicked the reply button twice accidentally...prolly too much gaming lately

 

[hoihtah]

Originally posted by: SahnTokie

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: gorgonous656
The only way you could hide your address is if another machine acted as a front-end proxy to your website. The proxy would retrieve the content from your web server, and send it to the client. The client would only see the IP of the proxy.

You could set up a router/firewall and just do NAT behind it and forward port 80. Your router will still show a public IP though.

haha...Not only is security my concern, but also the thickness of my wallet. In other words, I want a essentially free solution. =/

i'd have to echo what vi_edit said.

as for your wallet, a router/firewall could be easily a pc that you could pick up from your neighbors trash.
i use an old AMD k6-2 450 for that purpose... but you could do this with something slower.

or you could get a router for under $20.00 nowadays... that would handle your need.