Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
Home
Discussion GroupsWindows VistaWindows XPWindows MeWindows 98Windows 95Virtual PCInternet ExplorerOutlook ExpressWindows MediaSecurity
Related Topics
MS Server ProductsMS OfficePC HardwareMore Topics ...

Windows Forum / Windows XP / Accessibility / April 2004

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

FIREWALL info Please.

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
Miriam Barber - 22 Apr 2004 14:58 GMT
I would like to know more about FIREWALLS.  Recently I got "broadband", or
ADSL/DSL as it is also referred to.
Because I am now free to be "online" as long as I like, I keep my computer
online sometimes all day.  THEN I read somewhere in a 'top rating' computer
magazine, that I should not do that, because I am making my computer
vulnerable to HACKERS and virus attacks.  The magazine recommended/suggested
that I install a good "firewall".
I already have Norton Antivirus 2004 installed and I thought that was all
the protection I needed.
Can anyone please give me advice on what I should do for the best. I do not
like the idea of my pc being exposed to hackers and virus attacks.
I would appreciate ANY help that anybody out there might be able to offer
me.
Regards,
Mim. (22nd April 04)
Raoul - 22 Apr 2004 15:34 GMT
Perhaps the most highly rated one around is Zone Alarm Pro

http://www.zonelabs.com

> I would like to know more about FIREWALLS.  Recently I got "broadband", or
> ADSL/DSL as it is also referred to.
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> Regards,
> Mim. (22nd April 04)
Donald McDaniel - 22 Apr 2004 16:17 GMT
> I would like to know more about FIREWALLS.  Recently I got
> "broadband", or ADSL/DSL as it is also referred to.
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> Regards,
> Mim. (22nd April 04)

Your Norton Antivirus will do a good job of protecting you from viruses in
files which you might download over the Internet, or viruses in email
attachments, but it is not designed to protect you from real-time attacks by
hackers.  For that, you need a firewall, such as Norton Personal Firewall,
or ZoneAlarm Pro.

Hackers LOVE DSL connections, because they are usually able to be on-line
for extended periods of time, thus giving them time to find entrances into
your system.  Some DSL connections also have static IPs, thus making it
easier for them to find you on the Internet.  Personally, I do not keep my
connection going continually, even tho I am allowed to.  As they say, "A
moving target is harder to hit."  Also, I really don't need to have my
connection going for long periods of time, since I do not run a server.
Many DSL providers do not even allow their customers to run servers.  If you
need to run a server, check with your DSL provider and ISP before starting
one, or you might wake up one day and find your account cancelled because of
abuse.  Also, servers usually require a static IP.

Windows XP provides a basic firewall, which does a good job of protection
from incoming attacks, but it will not insure that Trojan horses which might
already be on your HD attempt to communicate out to the hackers who placed
them there in the first place.

To protect yourself, install a Firewall, and begin practicing safe computing
habits, such as never clicking on attachments in your email which come from
total strangers, and always checking with your friends or family personally
to make sure they sent you email with attachments.  Also, NEVER click on
attachments from mail purporting to be from Microsoft (or other software
manufacturer) offering updates in attachments for your Operating System or
programs.  Microsoft does not distribute updates to the OS via email.
Clicking on those attachments will almost certainly install Trojans or other
viruses on your system

Most Trojans come in your email disguised as email from Microsoft, or offers
for free things, or offers for free porn.  When you click on the attachments
they carry, the Trojan is installed on your HD, and begins its work.  Some
Trojans start sending email containing the Trojan to everyone in your
Address Book.  Some create "back doors" which make it possible for the
hackers to enter your computer at any time and take it over, or even destroy
your files.

One very insidious form of hacker attack comes in the form of a purported
message from your bank, or credit card company, looking almost exactly like
their official email, and will send you to a web-site which looks almost
exactly like your bank or credit card company web-site.  They will be
messages to the effect that for some reason or another, you need to confirm
your account PIN, or your account password, etc.  These phony messages will
try to get you to enter your private information, so that they can harvest
it, and use it to defraud you and the bank/credit card company.  Banks or
credit card companies would never ask you to send your PIN or password to
them in response to an email in order to confirm any private information.

To sum it all up: If you install good-quality antivirus software (you have
one of the best now), install a good-quality firewall, keep the antivirus
and firewall up-to-date, and practice safe computing habits, you will be
fairly safe.

Signature

Donald L McDaniel
Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
so that all may be informed.
Remove the obvious to reply by email.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Mike - 23 Apr 2004 13:15 GMT
Miriam

Go to this site.. click on 'download and buy'.. on the Zonealarm site, there
are three options.. Zonealarm Pro, Zonealarm Plus, and Zonealarm.. the last
option is free.. download it.. run it..

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp?lid=pdb_za1

Mike

> I would like to know more about FIREWALLS.  Recently I got "broadband", or
> ADSL/DSL as it is also referred to.
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> Regards,
> Mim. (22nd April 04)
Alex Sanabia - 30 Apr 2004 17:53 GMT
I personally use BlackICE by ISS.

It's pretty good and has very high ratings.

>-----Original Message-----
>I would like to know more about FIREWALLS.  Recently I got "broadband", or
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
>.
 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2008 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.