The first thing people think about when defending their
computers and networks is an up-to-date antivirus program.
Without this most basic protection, your computer will get a
virus, which could just slow it down or potentially bring the pc
to a complete standstill!
So anti-virus software is the answer? An anti-virus solution on
it?s own is not the answer to all of your problems, it can only
protect you so much; in fact test have shown that a new pc
running Windows XP if left connected to the Internet unprotected
will be infected with viruses and remotely controlled via
unauthorised persons within 20 minutes! To protect you against
hackers and often to prevent spyware and ?scumware? from
communicating directly with their servers about information it
may have picked up from your pc, a firewall should form the key
part of your e-security solution. Previously, the targets of
hackers were large institutions, banks and government
organisations; now hackers try to steal your personal
information, including bank details and passwords directly from
your PC on a daily basis.
But perhaps you don?t consider that your data is particularly
valuable? You will be the one who suffers the consequences when
it is destroyed, and these consequences are usually expressed in
economic terms. If you lose your data, you will have to pay
someone to try and recover it for you, and if your computer is
illegally hijacked and used to attack others, then you will also
have to handle any legal issues that may result from this.
What will a firewall do to limit the danger to your systems? A
decent firewall is sometimes referred to as a ?choke-point? or
?bridge?. Every piece of data that comes into your network has
to go through the firewall in order that data of undesirable
content and unauthorised users cannot gain access to your
computer or network.
A good firewall will also hide the fact from others, that you
are actually connected to the Internet, stopping software that
pings, sniffs and queries IP addresses in the hope of finding a
system to attack.
A firewall will cloak me, but which one do I need? There are two
different types of firewall available for you to use; a software
firewall that is loaded onto your computer and a hardware
firewall. In truth, both types are software, but the hardware
one is a dedicated firewall appliance, whose only job is to
perform firewall functionality. A clear advantage of a hardware
firewall, is that if you happen to install some sort of maleware
or virus on your system, it cannot take over your firewall.
Unified Threat Management firewall functionality Unified Threat
Management products are defined as those that act as firewalls,
include intrusion detection and protection, and also deal with
viruses.
Does your current firewall perform content filtering, spam
filtering, intrusion detection and anti-virus duties? All of
these functions are usually on a number of different pieces of
hardware, taking up valuable space in your server racks. The
technology within business grade firewalls has become
considerably more robust, and paved the way to add these
additional, but vital functions to the one appliance.
The administration time has been cut significantly, as there is
only one appliance; product selection is quicker and easier, as
is product integration and ongoing support. With only one
appliance, troubleshooting also becomes a lot less of an issue.
If the firewall were to fail, then only one piece of hardware
needs to be swapped out; which means that your business can be
back up and running faster.
Winding up In conclusion a good firewall should do the following
things: * Protect your personal data * Protect your computers
resources * Protect your reputation and that of your business *
Protect your liability
About the author:
Rob Green is the CEO of Century Computing Support Services, a
WatchGuard Firewall Expert Partner, who provide both business
grade hardware and software firewalls at
http://www.firebox.uk.com. Fill in the contact form at
http://www.firebox.uk.com/catalog/contact_us.php to sign up for
the Century Computing newsletter.
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