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All about Firewalls

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Article on Firewalls by the MicroMart mag

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FIREWALLS

On this page...

	• System intrusions
	• What a firewall protects you from
	• What a firewall doesn't protect you from
	• Do's & Dont's

A firewall is a security system that monitors the data traffic between a network and protects a computer from the outside world. Some ISPs (broadband providers) include a firewall at their end of a connection and a good quality network router has one built-in at your end of the connection and if your are running Windows XP or Vista then you have a built-in firewall called Internet Connection Firewall. So some users have three or more firewalls.

System intrusions

Computer hackers using automated intruder programs are able to access the information stored on your PC, if it isn't properly protected. They do this for a number of reasons...

• Steal your private information - e.g. bank and credit card details, usernames and passwords.
• Corrupt or destroy information on your PC.
• Take control of your PC to link it with hundreds of other PCs to launch a DoS (Denial of Service) attack, usually against large corporate web sites.
• Take control of a section of your PC to create a 'Zombie' and use it to send spam e-mails.

PUBLISHED: Mar/2006

UPDATED: Jun/2007

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ADWARE

Programs that are installed on your computer with or without your knowledge, intending to deliver adverts to your desktop. More»

BROWSER HIJACKERS

Malware that covertly installs itself onto your system and changes your web browser settings. You aquire a new StartPage or HomePage that seems impossible to get rid of. More»

Cookies are small text files that some web sites place in your computer to remind your browser of specific information. For example, they might store your preferences for content so pages can be personalised for you. Have you ever gone back to an online store and found a couple of items that you chose, still at the check out, well that's achieved by a cookie. The vast amount of cookies are designed to enhance your visit to a site. Some sites use session cookies that are deleted when you exit your browser, while others place persistent cookies, which stay on your hard drive for long periods. All good sites outline their policy on cookies, usually within their privacy statement.

DIALERS

Malware that covertly installs itself onto your system and changes your internet dial-up settings to a Premium Rate number. You may not discover the breach until you query your excessive phone bill. Dialers are NOT a problem if you have a broadband connection.

FIREWALLS

Designed to prevent unauthorised access to or from a computer or a network. Usually software based but can be hardware based within a network router or a Broadband modem. More»

HACKERS

Users that spend time attempting to breach online security systems. Some do it just for the devilment whilst others have pure criminal intent. A Firewall helps to stop Hackers entering your system when you are online.

KEYLOGGERS

Malware that captures all keystrokes made by you and monitors for your bank and card details. It usually has the ability to transmit the captured information to interested parties either via a network connection or email. Your personal data is then used in fraudulent activity. More»

MALWARE

A generic term becoming popular to describe any form of malicious software. Sometimes referred to as rogue programs, they're the bad side of Spyware. More»

ONLINE SECURITY

A term that covers all the issues on this list. Whether it's the theft of your personal details, virus riddled emails or invading your privacy.

PHISHING

Pronounced 'fishing'. Not Spyware or a Virus but a type of scam. It's when fraudsters attempt to obtain your personal information, usually your bank details by duping you into entering your details into either a dummy web site, replying to a false email or even by a phone call to your home. The sites and emails are very convincing and appear genuine, even to the trained eye but give themselves away by the very nature of what they are requesting you to do. More»

POP-UPs

A new browser window that appears on top of your current window, smaller than normal and containing either information or an advert. You really need to take the time to know how useful and how dangerous they can be. More»

RATs

Remote Access Trojans. See Trojans below.

SPYWARE

A generic term for programs that are installed on your computer without your knowledge with the intent of gathering information about you, whether for commercial or criminal reasons. More»

TROJANS

Also known as Trojan Horses or RATs (Remote Access Trojans) it's a way of delivering Spyware onto your system. The malicious code is hidden within a seemingly harmless program. Trojans are often used to infect you with Keyloggers or Dialers. A favourite with Hackers to allow them to open a backdoor to your system. More»

VIRUSES

A small program designed to make copies of itself over and over again. The effects of a virus can range from harmless messages to the destruction of data and can be exucuted at any given time and date. Seev this page for more info.

WORMS

Very similar to viruses in their replication but exploit a users email system to send themselves around the world.

THIS ARTICLE

All about Firewalls

The Windows firewall can help prevent some of these intrusions but a built-in firewall in your network router will prevent even more... an absolute must for business users.

What a firewall protects you from

• Hackers trying to access your computer or personal information.
• System intrusion by malicious software.
• Worm type viruses [?] .

What a firewall doesn't protect you from

• Viruses (except for worm-type viruses).
• Trojans or malware introduced to a computer by the user.

Do's & Dont's

• Do use the most recent operating system that your computer will run.
• Do use a network router with a built-in firewall for broadband connectivity, even if you have just one computer.
• Do create passworded user accounts on Windows 2000, XP and Vista. Assign a password to the 'Guest' account.

• Don't use an 'Administrator' account (Windows 2000, XP & Vista) for everyday use [?] .
• Don't download, open or preview any file that you are not sure about.

More information

You'll find more in-depth information about firewalls on Wikipedia.

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