Firewalls Keeping the vandals from your computers :: Essays Papers

Firewalls Keeping the vandals from your computersA research paper write by Janice E Chapman for the Cyberculture Internet Literacy class offered at St Edwards University by professor Danney Ursery. August 1, 2001. Welcome to the 21st century, constant Internet access, and hackers.The good word of honor is that every time someone does something destructive with Internet technology, someone else does something to prevent that destruction. Hence the reason firewalls were created.So, what is a firewall? In short, it is package that prevents someone from accessing your computer, any over a network or the Internet. This software can be configured to only allow e-mail in, to restrict access of know intruders, or to restrict all outside traffic. An important side line of work is that firewalls are not designed to screen e-mails or files for viruses and restrict clean those e-mails or viruses. You would still need a virus control purpose for that. The reason you should protect your c omputer from outside snoops is the same reason you belt up your car or your house. You want to protect your property, and strangers don?t in truth know if you comport any thing valuable to steal until they bring in access and look around. In addition, the Internet has a reputation for attracting poisonous hackers. These are nation who seek entertainment by vandalizing other people?s computers. They may not seek you out specifically, they just happened to have a program that randomly ?pings? Internet protocol (IP) addresses until it finds an unlocked door. DSL, ISDN, or T1 lines connect your computer to the Internet and keep that connection constantly wide awake and the door unlocked. Now that you understand and see the need to protect your computer, the close flavor is to find firewall software that satisfies your needs. This means only you can check what is right for you. The Home PC Firewall Guide at http//www.firewallguide.com/ offers third companionship reviews for sm all office and home users. For those users seeking a more practiced approach to understanding, analyzing, designing, and/or testing firewall security the SANS Institute Information pledge Reading Room at http//www.sans.org/infosecFAQ/firewall/norton.htm provides excellent obliges written by GIAC-certified professionals. As a home user, I found Mark Greco?s article on Protecting Yourself with Norton Personal Firewall very informative. This article goes a step farther and steps you through the installation and configuration of Norton Personal Firewall. smooth not convinced to buy or download free firewall software? Think about this.