Definition of a Firewall: Any of a number of security schemes that prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to a computer network.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
What does this mean to you?
Stop hackers from accessing your computer to steal, nuke or sell your data.
For the last 3 years, my day job has been working as a Broadband and Dialup Technician for a large Internet Service Provider in Sydney, Australia.
I regularly answer phone calls troubleshooting difficult connection problems.
As more members install software firewalls, more connection problems are rearing their heads.
Out of the box, once you install this software,
it's not unusual for the software to block access to email and the web, and it's hard for members to know how to reduce the protection security to allow their email to still come through. Let alone get web access!
If this happens to you, phone the support department who made the software. Go to their site for contact details.
If you have dialup internet access, you are pretty much stuck with firewall software, unless you invest in expensive firewall hardware to stop hackers, crackers and slackers stealing your information.
Here is a solution.
Use Broadband access and make sure your Broadband modem or router has a built-in firewall.
Most broadband firewalls are set to "off" when they leave the manufacturer. So
enable your broadband firewall.
Once your firewall is turned on, it's almost impossible for hackers to break through your firewall and into your computer's hard drive.
You can smile now. Your data is almost completely secure. See below.
In fact, crackers, are unlikely to even see your computer to attack, unlike firewall software, which only reacts once a hacker "sees" your computer and lines you up as their next target.
Computer Hardware with an in-built firewall is the answer.
Firewall hardware is awesome at protecting you from almost all hackers.
However, elite hackers will find a way to access your system if they really want the data. Even if it means physically stealing your computer. So always,
password protect, your computer. And turn it off when you are not using it, preventing unwanted fingers from deleting your hard drive or stuffing up your operating system.
Instructions for testing your firewall
Already have a firewall installed?
See how secure it is. Go to this site and test it against vulnerable computer liabilities.
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Go to grc.com .
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Click on "Shields Up" graphic.
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Scroll half-way down this long page and click on the "Shields Up" link, then "Proceed".
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Click on "File Sharing", and review results and decide to follow recommendations to protect your computer's data.
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Do the same for:
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"Common Ports",
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"All Service Ports",
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"Messenger Spam", and
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"Browser Headers".
However, the more protection you have, the better your computer will sleep at night, so I recommend having two firewalls. One hardware (e.g on your broadband modem), and the other software based.
I've recently installed
Zone Alarm
and been happy with its protection from intruders.
This firewall is especially useful for those multiplayer gaming nights as it allows you to allow one program to work (your game) and stop all other traffic.
Zone Alarm is free for individual and non-profit groups (excluding governmental entities and educational institutions).
Learning about protecting your business computers from unwanted intruders will soak up time. Not protecting your business from hackers, could cost you big money, losing valuable data that could be posted online illegally or stealing your ideas and selling them, kill your entire reputation, and finally terminate your company.
Don't let a few hundred dollars prevent you from protecting your online business.
- Get a firewall.
- Get two types of anti-virus software and protect your business from unwanted junk mail.
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