Alpha Shield Hardware Firewall, User Manual

Page 17 of 19 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

I used the scan test and some of my ports are still OPEN or CLOSED, not all 
STEALTH or BLOCKED, what is wrong? 

You are not testing your computer’s IP Address. In some cases, the scanning is not 
actually done to your computer's IP Address, but to the IP Address of your ISP. Please 
check the IP Address on the top of the page where you go to perform the test. Please 
compare it to the real IP Address that belongs to your system. You will be able to check 
your real IP Address if you visit one of the following sites: 
http://www.whatismyip.com   or   http://www.whatismyipaddress.com 
 

Does my AlphaShield Home Edition work with the router? 

Yes! AlphaShield Home Edition will definitely work in your environment! AlphaShield 
Home Edition should be connected between a xDSL/Cable Modem and a router (this 
includes wireless routers). If connected this way, it will protect your whole Network.   
 

Is AlphaShield Home Edition compatible with Macintosh OS X? 

Yes! AlphaShield Home Edition is a platform independent hardware. It does not require 
any configuration and does not need any software to install. Macintosh operating systems 
rely mostly on AppleTalk protocol, but they do take advantage of TCP/IP when an 
Internet connection is required. TCP/IP is a default protocol for the Internet and 
AlphaShield Home Edition works with any device/node that supports this protocol stack. 
That is why it really does not matter what operating system you are using as long as 
TCP/IP protocol is used.  
 

In regards to shielding your IP Address, exactly how does this work? 

AlphaShield Home Edition will show your IP Address to the resource that you visit. This 
is how TCP/IP protocol works. You have no way to hide it, and it is ok. An IP Address is 
like a phone number. Everyone needs one to contact the other person, or to get a phone 
call from somebody. When you request a website your IP Address will be visible to the 
server you visited. Communication is a two way process and you will not be able to use 
the Internet if you do not provide an IP Address to the resource you want to visit. Your IP 
Address is not a credit card number; this is not something that you have to hide all the 
time. When protected by AlphaShield Home Edition, your computer will never be 
detected by any scanning tools and thus would not reply to PING requests. If it cannot be 
found on the Internet, then it cannot be a target! Even if you visit a server and an attacker 
gets a hold of your IP Address, your AlphaShield Home Edition will not reply to any 
requests. Your computer is essentially invisible. 
 

What is the use of the switch at the back of the unit? 

Please refer to page 7 regarding Mode Selector Switch. 
 

Does AlphaShield Home Edition work in wireless Network configuration? 

Yes! AlphaShield Home Edition works in most wireless Network environments. The vast 
majority of home wireless Networks have a xDSL/Cable Modem connected to a wireless 
access point. A wireless access point will distribute the signal between computers on the