Firewalls
Do I need a firewall?
Yes. Everyone who uses the Internet should have a firewall.
Just as you access other computers using the Internet, other computers can also access YOUR computer when you are online. This leaves your computer open to attack by hackers, who can install viruses, use your computer to send spam or conduct illegal activity, or even steal your identity.
While a personal firewall cannot block any attack to your computer, it can block the vast majority of them. Hackers are constantly scanning the Internet for easy targets. Similar to how a home security system makes your house an unattractive target to the majority of burglars, a firewall makes your computer an unattractive target due to extra security measures.
The people who are most at risk are those who have broadband connections (e.g. cable modem or DSL). Thus, a firewall is an absolute MUST for broadband users. However, having a dial-up connection does not preclude you from being attacked, and it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to precious things such as your identity.
So what is a firewall, exactly? Well, there are many different types of computer firewalls, but for the average home user, the one we are interested in is called a personal firewall.
A personal firewall is software that protects a single Internet-connected computer from intruders.
This quote from a 2000 issue of PC World describes what you should look for in a firewall for personal use:
"The perfect personal firewall would be inexpensive and easy to install and use, would offer clearly explained configuration options, would hide all ports to make your PC invisible to scans, would protect your system from all attacks, would track all potential and actual threats, would immediately alert you to serious attacks, and would ensure nothing unauthorized entered or left your PC."
- Jeff Sengstack, "Make Your PC Hacker Proof", PC World, July 21, 2000.
There are many excellent personal firewalls available. Most of them are reasonably priced and a few of them are free, so there is no excuse for anyone to go without a firewall.
One firewall we recommend is ZoneAlarm Pro, which has lots of great features and costs about $50.
ZoneAlarm also offers a firewall with considerably fewer features that is free (but certainly far better than being completely unprotected). Here's the link to the free ZoneAlarm firewall:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp
Last update: 2005-06-24 13:44
Author: Jordana
You can comment on this entry
