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Erect A Firewall To Protect Your PC
What is a firewall?
A firewall manages incoming and outgoing data for a PC or network. In order to keep out hackers and prevent the spread of malware, it monitors connections and applies a set of rules to either block or permit communications. A firewall can either be a program that runs on a computer or a dedicated piece of hardware that serves as a gateway for an entire network.
How does it work?
A firewall monitors connection attempts and either accepts or rejects these attempts at communication based on a set of rules. The rules and actual method for inspection are quite complex and come in a few different flavors. All, however, have the same basic set of functions at their heart. Think of a firewall like a border control check point. It stops each incoming packet of data (a packet is information bundled together to be processed in chunks) and determines whether or not to let the data through.
To understand how this works you'll first need to know that all Internet activity occurs via a set of communication protocols, such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). In addition to defining what the data should look like, these methods of data transmission generally use a specific port number (a numbered channel for communicating with a computer). If you think of an IP address as a phone number, then a port number is like a direct-dial extension. One way a firewall determines whether a connection should be rejected is if a connection is made using a particular protocol, but is attempting to use a port other than the one your firewall is programmed to expect.
Why do I need one?
A firewall is an essential part of any PC's security arsenal. By locking down ports and rejecting certain traffic, it can bar hackers and prevent any malware you may have from passing your personal data to cybercriminals. Additionally, it can effectively quarantine an infected PC to keep it from spreading a virus to other computers on a network. In this way it is like a physical firewall (where did you think it got the name?) which prevents a fire from spreading and damaging adjacent property.
A good firewall will alert you to any unexpected attempts to communicate with your PC and ask you to allow or block individual programs as you "train" it to recognize the programs you use on a regular basis and how they behave.
Don't they sometimes cause problems?
It's true that firewalls can cause trouble for particular applications, but there are methods for bypassing it on a limited basis. The most common of these is port forwarding. Port forwarding directs all information targeted at a particular port to a specific program. For example, some games have trouble with a firewall's default settings. Setting up port forwarding for a game like 'Call of Duty,' then, ensures smoother online game play.
Most modern routers have a network-wide firewall and all the major operating systems have one on board. Windows XP users will want to use a third-party firewall, like Comodo, or one packaged with a security suite, such as Kaspersky. Windows Firewall, which comes with XP, is missing many important features and is far less secure than the versions available for Vista or Windows 7.
We're not gonna lie, firewalls are not the most exciting topic to read about. But understanding what they are and why they're so important to computer security is essential to being a good netizen. Securing your PC and data benefits not just you, but others who don't have to fear your computer will become just another cog in malware distributing botnet.
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Comments
13
Subscribe to commentscolcamMar 21st 2010 8:38PM
And a router with a firewall in it in addition to the firewall in the machine is well worth the tiny extra cost--
marcMar 21st 2010 9:06PM
its ashame gates, dell, apple and the rest didnt just design the things so freaks couldnt do all this crap in the beginning,it just enabled norton etc to sell you something else, nothing is ever simple and someone has always got their hands in your pockets
DubMar 21st 2010 10:04PM
Your ignorant. Its not Dell's fault or any of the PC manufacturer's. Its the fault of the operating system on the PC that they can become infected, and that people know how to write code, and program data that is malicious. I will say tho running Mac or Linux you are less likely to be attack as they are more secure operating systems than windows. Also you don't have to buy Norton or spend much money to have a good firewall. I have a firewall using free open source software that I installed on an old PC I had lying around, so it was free. also I have AVG Free Anti-virus running on my PC and it does an excellent job. All free so I say norton and the other Internet security programs can go screw off and stop trying to steal money for things that are and should always be free.
BobApr 21st 2010 6:40AM
You hit it right on the head. I say that every time I need to purchase something extra for the tech stuff. "They " all have to have a piece of the pie and their hand in our pocket.
fiendking04Mar 21st 2010 9:07PM
Simple, yet informative. Glad more people are now informed. :)
fiendking04Mar 21st 2010 9:09PM
Well, it's a delicate balance between end-user friendliness and security. Unless you're a serious computer programmer, or have extensive knowledge about the subject at hand, you're probably going to wind up choosing the easier, more friendly aspect.
Audrey BoothMar 21st 2010 9:36PM
How do I check to see if I have a Firewall? That would have been a helpful piece bit of information in this article but all of these "techies" ASSUME that we all know everything. I have no idea if I have a firewall or not.
mike hyltonMar 21st 2010 9:50PM
audrey booth if your using a antivirus like macafee just double klik on the icoopen it up and it will show you the protection you have
sportygrlyMar 21st 2010 11:01PM
I understand the necessity, but it's a complete pain. My computer runs as if it HAS a VIRUS it's so freakin' slow! Sometimes I feel like just taking the risk.
carlMar 21st 2010 11:44PM
Windows XP..Provides an excellent firewall...as does mcafee
reesewordenMar 22nd 2010 1:08AM
Is it ok to use two firewalls running at one time? I have heard contrary.
gr8bsnMar 22nd 2010 2:06AM
Firewalls are spyware in itself. Most of these "internet security" programs are set by default to record attacks and take a "snapshot" of your system of it fails.
Cecil JonesMar 22nd 2010 3:17AM
Oh my goodness, the pool is poluted and our information is at risk. What are we going to do stop swimming or clean up the pool? The system is corrupted so there is little that a swimsuit will do to protect you. The government is corrupting the pool and people will steal your information as long as we have "Secret Evidence." What can we do? The system must create standard business practices that make stealing information not worth the time or trouble. If someone takes your address and phone number to create a new billing address make it a requirement of the shipper to verify the address is correct. If someone steals your banking information, make it a requirement to verify unusual activity. Your social security number is practically useless because there's nothing in that account. A simple verification step nulifies all the corruption and pollutants in the river. When technology moves faster than the law some criminals will get away with breaking the law if the government wants them to get away with it. Fear of swimming limits the technology and permits the government to break the law too. Trust and verify applies to the Internet also. We can't trust because we don't verify the information is correct. That's no way anybody should be permitted to do business.