[cisb102sp04] CISB102 Lesson 3 Question 6 Firewalls
- From: "Richelle McFate" <richellemcfate@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: cisb102sp04@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2004 15:55:15 -0500
With the on-set and purchase of high speed and wireless Internet
connections, today's computer users need to consider obtaining and
maintaining a firewall to increase the security of their personal computer
software, hardware and files. Because of the nature of high speed and
wireless connections and the fact that they are "always on," the security of
a computer connected to the Internet is always at risk, whether it's due to
a hacker trying to gain access to the user's bank account, a virus that will
erase the hard drive, or a large number of other threats.
Of course, a computer will always be safest if it is not connected to the
Internet at all and turned off. (See
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,3973,1522410,00.asp for an article
discussing the benefits of turning off your computer when it is not in use.)
Barring having the computer off forever, a user should consider increasing
security by installing a good firewall and there are lots to choose from.
The Firewall Guide (http://www.firewallguide.com/) says the safest defense
is a layered defense and describes the three layers of security as, first,
finding an ISP that will provide security through anti-virus, anti-spam and
content filters. Second, a hardware router that can be used to block open
ports should be implemented between the user's modem and computer. Finally,
the user should also install anti-virus (and other) software and maintain
updates. Click on the "Best Reviews" link on the Firewall Guide's site for
discussions and reviews regarding tools for each of these layers.
--
Richelle McFate
richellemcfate@xxxxxxxxxxx
"Forgive me my nonsense as I also forgive the nonsense of those who think
they talk sense." -- Robert Frost
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