Firewall

Personal Firewall Choices

What is a firewall ?
A system designed to prevent unauthorized access to a private network or a system. Firewalls can be implemented in both software and hardware, or a combination of both.
lets see various firewalls :

Microsoft Windows Firewall -- The Vista and XP Service Pack 2 operating systems have personal firewalls built in that are turned on by default to block threats from the Internet. You should leave this feature turned on until you replace it with third-party software and/or hardware.

Two-Way Third-Party Personal Firewall Software -- These firewalls block both incoming and outgoing threats. A computer has outgoing threats when it becomes infected with a virus , trojan or spyware . Two common ways to address this are by vendors including a list of safe software for the firewall to check and/or by issuing a pop up alert to the user asking for advice on what to do.

Recommended products :

• Zone ALarm Pro from CheckPoint [retail & free versions]
• Sunbelt /Kerio [freeware & retail versions]
• Comodo [freeware]

Internet Security Software Suites -- These products include two or more security features such as a personal firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware and more. Recommended retail products with links to vendors:

• Norton Internet Security 2007 or Norton 360 from Symantec include personal firewall and protection from viruses, worms, spyware, intrusion, phishing and root kits. Also includes behavioral monitoring features. The free online add-on pack includes anti-spam, parental control, confidential information blocking, and ad blocking. "Norton 360" adds automatic backup and restore with 2 GB of online storage, PC tune up and embedded support components.
• Zone Alarm internet security suite from CheckPoint features include network, program and operating systems firewalls, antivirus, identity theft protection, anti-spyware, spy site blocking, auto-learn, privacy protection, IM protection, game mode, essential email security, wireless PC protection, parental control, and smart defense service.

Hardware Firewalls -- A hardware firewall is usually a small box that sits between a modem and a computer or network. The firewall is either based on "network address translation" (NAT) which hides your computer from the Internet or NAT plus "stateful packet inspection" (SPI) for more protection. There are three basic types of hardware devices that include firewalls for home users, routers and broadband gateways . They can be used in addition to a software firewall on each computer because they run on a separate box preventing most compatibility problems. Recommended broadband gateway retail product with link to vendor:

• Zone Alarm Secure Wireless Router from CheckPoint with SPI firewall, gateway antivirus and additional features.

Important Tip -- Never use two personal firewall software products at the same time. Fully uninstall one before installing another to prevent compatibility problems.

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