Your PC - Personal Security & Safeguards

Install A Firewall Now!

Good fences make good neighbors. You can add an important layer of protection between your computer and the Internet by using a firewall system. Potential intruders scan computers on the Internet probing for a "port" where they can break and enter. A firewall can help block unauthorized entry into your computer, as well as restrict outbound traffic.  A Firewall with Intrusion Detection goes one step further and warns you when someone tries to break in!

The FBI and the Computer Security Institute (CSI) reported that 85 percent of large corporations had detected security breach. But why would you be at risk?

Why Would Someone Hack Your Computer?  Because They Can!

Besides gaining access to your private information, such as financial records or password files, intruders can, and do, use individuals' computers to:

• Launch denial of service (DoS) attacks against a high profile Web site. Once gaining control, the hacker can direct your computer, and hundreds or thousands of other so-called "zombies," to act simultaneously, which overloads and effectively shuts down a popular site.
• Distribute software illegally. After appropriating space on your hard drive, they enable others to access your computer as a "warez" site and download pirated entertainment or business applications. Guess who's responsible?  You!

What's the Risk of DSL or Cable Modem?

If you have a DSL or cable modem with an "always on" connection, your risk is greater because your computer is not a moving target. For example, when you use a dialup connection, your computer gets a different network address every time; however, using DSL or cable, you have a static network address. If you take advantage of the "always on" connection, your computer's address is even more available to hackers. There is also a risk from "sharing the wire;" those in your neighborhood with the same cable service could potentially trespass on your computer. A firewall can help protect your computer in such instances.

The average DSL or Cable Modem user's computer is probed 25-1000 times a day!  Who is doing this?  Your neighbors, your high school students, the Russians. the Chinese, the Koreans!  It is all over the world.  However, our own analysis suggests that for most home users, this risk mostly comes from teens - maybe your own children!  Who use downloaded hacker ware to try to crack or hack the computer of both people they know and don't know.  If you think about it, you probably know at least one real hacker (or wannabe!).

Checklist for Firewalls

Firewalls have the same deterring effect as a home alarm system — would-be perpetrators usually look elsewhere for an easier target.  Though frequently that armatures will continue to pound the digital heads against your (fire) wall.

Choose a firewall

There are three types of firewalls. The first, Personal (or software) firewalls, are most appropriate for home users.

• Personal (or software) firewalls. Cost is US$0 to $50 per PC. Microsoft® Windows® XP comes with a built-in firewall: the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF). Check the following sites for more information:

• Hardware routers. Although not true firewalls, router hardware performs the function of masking your computer's address and ports to outsiders. Cost: under US$100 for a 4-port router, with which you can connect from one to four computing devices.  (not to be confused with a "hub"; which offers no protection.)
• Hardware firewalls. Starting at US$400 and are much more complex to manage, hardware firewalls are more appropriate for businesses running multiple computers.

For information on firewalls designed for Microsoft Windows, check out the Windows Catalog. For the best experience on Windows XP, look for products that carry the Designed for Windows logo.

Learn more from McAfee about the risks online and how a firewall can help protect your computer whether you're using a slow or fast connection to the Internet:

• eSecurity News (McAfee)

We prefer the ISS Black Ice product for desktop protection in that it includes both firewall and intrusion detection, as well as rogue application protection.

Manage your firewall

Keep your firewall in good condition by doing these two things every month:

• Check for software updates. Go to your firewall vendor's Web site, and sign up to be notified of updates. If you are using Windows XP or Windows Me, you can skip this step—software updates for the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) are delivered automatically. Install them when prompted.
• Review the logs. Ascertain how much probing traffic your firewall is repelling.
• Turn off "always on." If you have DSL or cable modem, turn off your connection when you don't need to be online.

The primary purpose of a firewall is restricting unauthorized access to your computer. If you wish to manage access from your computer to certain Web sites, for instance to help protect kids online from objectionable content, you can change the settings in your Microsoft Internet Explorer Web browser and/or use an online filtering service.

Scan you Computer When Connected For Vulnerabilities!

After all is said and done, and you think your computer is secure, how do you really know?  The answer is that you test it.  Testing your firewall is critically important in knowing that it is configured correctly.

There are many services that perform external vulnerability tests.  Some run as much as $10,000 a system to be tested.  We recommend an amazing service that does it for free!  Their testing is every bit as useful as the expensive services, but do it for not cost.

Click here for your free test

Free Vulnerability Audit For Your Computer!

Of course, there is always a catch.  They will test your system's vulnerabilities for free, but if you have extensive issues, they charge for the full detailed report.