Use Firewalls for Internet Safety
If you surf online then you know, hopefully, that you need a firewall between you and the outside world. And to be properly protected you should have two, one software and one hardware. This is especially true if you have an ‘Always On” connection like Cable or DSL. With this type of connection, if your computer is turned on then you are online.
An example of software would be ‘Windows Firewall’ which comes with it. An example of a hardware solution could be a router.
Why do you need two? Software on this side of a hardware firewall is mostly to block out going traffic like those Google tool bars you people love so much. The hardware blocks things from getting in.
The hardware firewall isolates your internal IP (Internet Protocol) address. There are special “Firewall Devices” you can purchase but the easiest and least expensive is to get a store bought router. Common brands for example are Linksys or D-Link.
Now here is an important note BEFORE you run out and buy one. Check your Cable/DSL modem. Many of these provide the router function. If it does you already have this level of protection. A quick way to check is to look at your machines IP address. To do this: Start / Run / type CMD in the box and hit OK. When the DOS window opens type “ipconfig /all” (no quotes) at the flashing prompt. If the first three numbers are 192 chances are good that you have a router.
How does a router protect you? They use a protocol called NAT (Network Address Translation). Simply it hides your computer IP address behind the IP address assigned to the router by the service provider. It does this by creating a small network between the computer and the router that is separate from what the outside world sees.
I hope this clears up some of the confusion surrounding firewalls. You should use two. A router is a good choice (even if you only have one computer). You also have the option to add wireless when you purchase a router but that is another article.
Author Chris Kaminski is head web designer at Lone Bird Studio, an Asheville web design and SEO company located in North Carolina.
An example of software would be ‘Windows Firewall’ which comes with it. An example of a hardware solution could be a router.
Why do you need two? Software on this side of a hardware firewall is mostly to block out going traffic like those Google tool bars you people love so much. The hardware blocks things from getting in.
The hardware firewall isolates your internal IP (Internet Protocol) address. There are special “Firewall Devices” you can purchase but the easiest and least expensive is to get a store bought router. Common brands for example are Linksys or D-Link.
Now here is an important note BEFORE you run out and buy one. Check your Cable/DSL modem. Many of these provide the router function. If it does you already have this level of protection. A quick way to check is to look at your machines IP address. To do this: Start / Run / type CMD in the box and hit OK. When the DOS window opens type “ipconfig /all” (no quotes) at the flashing prompt. If the first three numbers are 192 chances are good that you have a router.
How does a router protect you? They use a protocol called NAT (Network Address Translation). Simply it hides your computer IP address behind the IP address assigned to the router by the service provider. It does this by creating a small network between the computer and the router that is separate from what the outside world sees.
I hope this clears up some of the confusion surrounding firewalls. You should use two. A router is a good choice (even if you only have one computer). You also have the option to add wireless when you purchase a router but that is another article.
Author Chris Kaminski is head web designer at Lone Bird Studio, an Asheville web design and SEO company located in North Carolina.
Labels: Computer Tech Tips, Internet Safety
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