What is a good personal firewall? I know we had this discussion before, but I can't find it.<
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>I guess my first question is:what does a firewall do?<
>I know it keeps people out, but how?<
>Do different firewalls do different things or are they all pretty much the same?<
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>Thanks! I know it came out sounding retarded, but I just can't get the words out coherently today. <i></i>
Personal Firewall?
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TStodden
Re: Personal Firewall?
A Personal Firewall can be a valuable piece of software on your system. It acts like a security guard/bouncer on your computer. Only allowing the programs that you've cleared access online. It also protects your system by "locking" all unused ports on your computer... For example, if you surf the web, port 80 (http)would be openned so that your
owser can connect to the web. Since you're using your
owser, port 80 would be used by you & cannot be accessed by anyone else. This also means that nobody can get into your computer through port 21 (ftp).<
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>Firewalls also act as protector from preditors from within. Spyware, Trojan horses, ect. cannot get out from your computer when your firewall is properly installed/configured, which therefore improves privacy. Think of your firewall as a personal bouncer here. Only what you allow goes through while it blocks everything you don't.<
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>As for the different firewall, they all do the same basic function: Keep your computer safe. However, different firewalls have different levels of safety & learning curves as well as features.<
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>The easiest one as got to be Zone Alarm, since it provides the strongest protection without all the common mumbo-jumbo that's associated with strength. Their Pro version ($30) gets a little more complex, but it add privacy features as attachment quarentine, cookie protection/blocking, & Ad blocking as well.<
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>You'll have to look around to see which Firewall is the best for you. <i></i>
owser can connect to the web. Since you're using your
owser, port 80 would be used by you & cannot be accessed by anyone else. This also means that nobody can get into your computer through port 21 (ftp).<
><
>Firewalls also act as protector from preditors from within. Spyware, Trojan horses, ect. cannot get out from your computer when your firewall is properly installed/configured, which therefore improves privacy. Think of your firewall as a personal bouncer here. Only what you allow goes through while it blocks everything you don't.<
><
>As for the different firewall, they all do the same basic function: Keep your computer safe. However, different firewalls have different levels of safety & learning curves as well as features.<
><
>The easiest one as got to be Zone Alarm, since it provides the strongest protection without all the common mumbo-jumbo that's associated with strength. Their Pro version ($30) gets a little more complex, but it add privacy features as attachment quarentine, cookie protection/blocking, & Ad blocking as well.<
><
>You'll have to look around to see which Firewall is the best for you. <i></i>
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Jenn
Re: Personal Firewall?
Thanks TS! Now that I think of a firewall as my own personal Vin Diesel, it makes much more sense!!<
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>I've heard of Zone Alarm before; it has come highly recommended.<
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>Thanks again!! <i></i>
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>I've heard of Zone Alarm before; it has come highly recommended.<
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>Thanks again!! <i></i>