| A firewall is a system or gateway that prevents | | | | (Transmission Control Protocol) or UDP (User |
| unauthorized access toyour computer or private | | | | Datagram Protocol) |
| network. It is usually the first line of defensein | | | | Proxy server -- all messages entering or leaving your |
| protecting your private information or data. A good | | | | network must go thruthis proxy server, effective for |
| firewall will helpprotect you from malicious attacks of | | | | hiding your true network or computer address |
| spyware, adware, malware, worms,trojans, and | | | | Also, for greater security, many networks use |
| hackers. | | | | encrypted data. |
| Firewalls are security mechanisms that control who | | | | If you are operating a computer or a server, putting up |
| can access and senddata thru your network or | | | | firewalls willprovide protection for your data and |
| computer. They can be applied to both hardwareand | | | | information that's passed along yournetwork. If you |
| software on your computer; many systems use a | | | | regularly surf the Internet, placing a firewallon your own |
| combination ofeach for greater protection. All data or | | | | personal computer is a must. There is no reason not to |
| messages entering or leavingyour computer has to | | | | havea firewall in place, you can download a free |
| pass thru the firewall, which checks all messagesand | | | | firewall from your own personal use. |
| blocks those that don't meet your specified security | | | | Keep in mind, no system is foolproof; any computer or |
| criteria orrules. | | | | network hookedup to the Internet can be hacked! |
| To put it in simple terms: think of a firewall as a | | | | Therefore, most people in the know, alwayskeep a |
| security guard or asecurity scanner for your computer | | | | back-up of their important data/information on a |
| or network. Anything going in or outmust be checked | | | | secure off-line source:floppy disks, CDs, or on a |
| thru this system and must obey your rules! | | | | computer that's not connected to the Internet. |
| Of course, this is just a simple explanation, firewalls can | | | | Do daily or weekly back-ups to make sure your data |
| be verycomplex; consisting of a whole combination of | | | | and programs are safe. |
| techniques that can beused in concert depending on | | | | Still, a good firewall will go a long way in protecting |
| the level of security you wish to achieve. | | | | yourself fromany unauthorized access to your |
| These firewall techniques may include: | | | | computer. With the occurrences of spyware,adware, |
| Application gateway -- places security mechanisms on | | | | and other more invasive scumware increasing daily; |
| specificapplications (FTP, Telnet, etc.) | | | | puttingup a firewall and protecting yourself should be |
| Packet filters -- examines each packet using your | | | | your first line ofdefense against such unwanted and |
| computer and acceptsor rejects according to your | | | | rude visitors. Nuke them at the gateand save yourself |
| rules | | | | from some major headaches. |
| Circuit-level gateway -- security measures for such | | | | Put that firewall up right now! |
| connections as TCP | | | | |