A personal firewall will have a variety of levels of protection that depends on whether your computer is connected to the Internet or to a network. A computer on a home network will often have shared files with other computers on the network and will also access the same resources, such as printers. If this is the case there will be more access than if the computers are connecting to the Internet.
Connecting to the Internet is risky and needs to be controlled. Firewalls should be set to restrict certain data that is outgoing and incoming as well as close any ports that aren’t being used. A port is a standardized number that routes Internet traffic with the use of network software.
You don’t need to be a computer expert. Most firewall settings are configured according to default. If you need to modify these settings you’ll usually get an alert when you’re making the change.
There are two basic components to a personal firewall. The first component will look at the data when it comes into your computer to decide whether or not the data should be allowed to pass through. The second component will set up certain policies for some applications. These policies can be relaxed since they simply let certain programs have access to the Internet.
The first component is known as the “packet filter”. This filter will take a look at each packet of data and will let it pass through or let it drop. These packets are composed of data that is routed on the network. There are rules for these packets, which are called polices, that let data pass or decide which data fails to meet the policy standards. Failure to meet these policies will give an alert or else just drop the packet depending on how the firewall has been configured.
The second component is known as the “application filter”. This filter will decide whether certain programs are allowed to receive and send data through one port or another. A browser will need to have access to the Internet so a policy is put into place that allows the receiving and sending of data using Port 80, which is a standard number.
Just because the web browser is using Port 80, and other ports are blocked by the personal firewall, your computer still won’t be secure.
An application filter is set up for certain programs and not the particular components of these programs. Every program will have more than one module, each of which can be infected. In a Windows environment these are known as DDLs (dynamic link libraries).
In most cases your antivirus software will be able to determine if a module is infected but any new viruses, that are not yet part of the antivirus database, may slip by undetected. Your computer system will be vulnerable if your personal firewall allows this to happen.
A firewall won’t give you complete protection against viruses and hackers. A firewall is only effective for keeping some hackers out of your system and you should supplement your system with antivirus software. You should also practice safe file sharing procedures.
There is one main rule to follow with firewalls: If you don’t know what is trying to accessing your computer consider it a risk.
By: Paul Wilcox
Posts Tagged ‘Computer Internet’
Using Firewalls to Protect Your Computer From Attack
March 22nd, 2010The Wonders of Computers and the Global Network of Networks That is the Internet
February 1st, 2010
Computers are one of the supreme and best inventions ever made in the history of modern technology. It has brought numerous and countless advances to many different fields of studies as well as in the lives of many people. Today, computers have changed how people work and have opened new methods and means of acquiring new knowledge and skills. Do you know that computers have even transformed how you communicate with each other through the advancements in technology?
One of these advancements is the Internet. Now, who among you does not know anything about the Internet? Perhaps using computers will never be complete without using the Internet. This global network of networks have swept the lives of many people including you as daily tasks become handier, communications more convenient, and most of all, sources of information broader and more accessible.
Let us try to uncover the benefits of computers and the Internet in an individual’s daily life in general:
1. Through the computer and the Internet, you’ll be able to discover new ways in getting hold of informative and useful information in almost any fields of studies, something that is imaginable and beyond what you can think of. Information that is definitely ready at your fingertips.
2. It has changed how you do business. Gone are the days of labor-intensive and manual way of inputting data through ink and paper. Now, with a few taps of keys and a few clicks of the mouse, good and productive business is on its way.
3. It opens new doors of opportunities and ventures. Apart from the way you do business, the computer and the Internet has also become your partner in doing business effectively, how your products are sold to vast numbers of consumers, and how services are provided superbly.
By: Elija James
5 Work At Home Computer Based Businesses
November 20th, 2009
With the internet continuously expanding, every day there are more and more work at home computer based businesses to choose from. There are several advantages to being able to work from your home and it allows you to do what you have always wanted to do. Here are 5 work at home computer based businesses to consider.
1. Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing has great potential because there are so many businesses and companies online that offer affiliate programs. What affiliate marketing entails is you selling someone else’s products. For every sale that you make, you earn a certain commission. Because there are so many programs to choose from, it is vital that you select one with a high commission rate so that your efforts are properly rewarded.
2. eBay
eBay is a work at home business that has just recently taken off. There are a number of ways you can turn eBay into an actual business. First, you would be surprised at how much of your “junk” is treasure to someone else. Gathering things from your house can make you a great deal of money. The main way people turn eBay into an actual business is by purchasing a hot item that may run out, such as PS3 or XBOX 360, and turning around and selling it for more than you purchased it for.
3. Article writing
There is constant demand on the internet for fresh and enticing content. Regardless of what business or company you may have, content is something every site needs. The problem is many people cannot write sufficiently, which leads to you. As long as you can properly research topics and write sufficiently, you can make a great business out of writing articles.
4. Freelance
The internet is great for freelance work because there are so many opportunities to choose from. Whether you want to write articles for people, be a graphic designer, or be an editor, there are a number of professions to choose from. And you will always have work because the internet is growing at an incredible rate.
5. Start a web site
The ultimate work at home computer based business is creating your own web site. To do this successfully, it is best to start something with high demand but minimal competition. If you start a web site within an industry that has thousands of competitors, it is going to be extremely difficult to have success. Starting your own web site also allows you to get into article writing, affiliate marketing, and many more business ventures.
The internet is full of opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to work for themselves. The five work at home computer based businesses listed here have great potential and can ultimately turn your life around for the better.
By: Damon Jennings
