| ewall works as a security doorway that stops | | | | Telnet, etc.) |
| unknown and seemingly harmful and therefore | | | | • Packet filters – studies each |
| unauthorized entry to your personal computer | | | | operation running on your computer minutely and |
| network system. It acts as the first line of | | | | allows or discards according to rules set by your |
| defense against programs that may harm your | | | | computer |
| personal information. A good firewall protects your | | | | • Circuit-level gateway – provides |
| information from trojans, spyware, adware, | | | | safety-ensuring techniques for connections like |
| hackers, malware and worms. | | | | Transmission Control Protocol or TCP and User |
| Firewalls are security-ensuring schemes that | | | | Datagram Protocol or UDP |
| manage and decide who can gain access and send | | | | • Proxy server - any message entering or |
| information to your computer network. Firewalls | | | | exiting your network must pass this proxy server |
| help both hardware and software. To ensure | | | | because it effectively conceals your computer |
| tighter security, most systems use a combination | | | | address |
| of each. | | | | Superior security is also provided by encrypted |
| All messages to and from your computer pass | | | | data. Many network systems use this method to |
| first through the firewall. The firewall checks each | | | | strengthen safety measures. |
| and every message and bars those that are | | | | To protect data that passes your computer |
| against the security criteria or rules laid down by | | | | network, installation of firewalls is a must. Plus, if |
| your computer. | | | | you are a regular web surfer, the presence of a |
| Simply put, a firewall acts as a security guard for | | | | firewall becomes mandatory. |
| your computer network. Anything going in or out | | | | However, it is a known fact that no system is |
| of it is thoroughly checked by this security | | | | flawless. A computer or network plugged to the |
| scanner and who it decides to keep away is | | | | Internet is not far away from hackers! Therefore, |
| completely based on the rules you have laid down! | | | | it is wise to keep a back-up of important data on |
| However, firewalls are not as simple as they | | | | a secure off-line base: floppy disks, CDs, or on a |
| sound. They can be very complex. Firewalls can | | | | computer that does not make use of the |
| mean a whole aggregation of methods that can | | | | Internet. Daily or weekly back-ups ensure the |
| be used one by one or in combination, depending | | | | safety of your data and programs. |
| on the degree of security you need to attain. | | | | A sound firewall provides adequate protection |
| Firewall methods may be of varying nature: | | | | against illegal access to your computer by |
| • Application gateway – this installs | | | | scumware like spyware and adware. A firewall |
| security methods on particular applications (FTP, | | | | provides an effective line of defense. |