Firewalls

[Clo]

Two computer experts (one that owns a shop - sells,
builds and repairs) are both telling me that I should not
install a Firewall cuz it slows down computers. And in
any case when I go in web sites or receive or send e-mail
I'm giving permission to come in anyway. They are
telling that firewalls are useless and as long as I have
a good anti-virus it's enough. What do you think?

 

[Blue Ice]

A good anti-virus program is always wise to have installed. But I firewall
checks ports and can prevent hackers or unauthorized software to enter the
computer or sending information over the internet. However configuring a
firewall is a precise job, because when done wrong people can just walk in
and out without you knowing it. In that case you will have a false feeling
of security. If you connect through a modem, then it is probably not very
interesting, because your connection is slow and you won't be connected for
long. But DSL and Cable connection are open for a long time and are fast, so
in this case it would be interesting to install a firewall. If you use the
proxy-server of your ISP then it is not so important either, but still
advisable. If you have a router with an integrated firewall, then risk of
being hacked is much lower to, so low that a software firewall isn't very
usefull for home use. So I don't agree with these computer experts. It
really depends on your situation. But I wouldn't use the one that comes with
Windows XP.

 

[Lionel Fourquaux]

Two computer experts (one that owns a shop - sells,
builds and repairs) are both telling me that I should not
install a Firewall cuz it slows down computers. And in
any case when I go in web sites or receive or send e-mail
I'm giving permission to come in anyway. They are
telling that firewalls are useless and as long as I have
a good anti-virus it's enough. What do you think?

Maybe they are no so "expert"...

Firewall block most of the network traffic between
to outside and your computer (or a whole network).
So, a well configured firewall will block everything
except the connections you request (e.g. http and
https for web browsing).

Firewalls are not the ultimate solution in security: there is
no such thing. You can secure a computer without
using a firewall (by stopping all unnecessary program
listening for connections). However, firewalls have two
big advantages:
* they offer a pretty good security against unwanted
incoming connections
* they are usually easy to setup for maximal security
(i.e. block every incoming connection), even for non
expert users.
Moreover, they become even more useful if you want
to protect a whole network (using a dedicated firewall
box).

As far as speed is concerned, I didn't notice any
difference, and I don't believe it is really important: most
of the delay is caused by the network, not by whatever
processing is done by the computer.

So, don't hesitate to install a firewall: it's good for the
security of your computer.

On the other hand, you shouldn't believe some noisy
firewalls that keep telling you that your computer was
protected from an attack: most of these incoming packets
are rather harmless. And remember that security is _not_
just running a firewall and an antivirus. You should first
keep your eyes open and try to understand the security
implications of what you do.

 

[Clo]

-----Original Message-----
"Clo" <[email protected]> a écrit dans le message de news:[email protected]...

Maybe they are no so "expert"...

Firewall block most of the network traffic between
to outside and your computer (or a whole network).
So, a well configured firewall will block everything
except the connections you request (e.g. http and
https for web browsing).

Firewalls are not the ultimate solution in security: there is
no such thing. You can secure a computer without
using a firewall (by stopping all unnecessary program
listening for connections). However, firewalls have two
big advantages:
* they offer a pretty good security against unwanted
incoming connections
* they are usually easy to setup for maximal security
(i.e. block every incoming connection), even for non
expert users.
Moreover, they become even more useful if you want
to protect a whole network (using a dedicated firewall
box).

As far as speed is concerned, I didn't notice any
difference, and I don't believe it is really important: most
of the delay is caused by the network, not by whatever
processing is done by the computer.

So, don't hesitate to install a firewall: it's good for the
security of your computer.

On the other hand, you shouldn't believe some noisy
firewalls that keep telling you that your computer was
protected from an attack: most of these incoming packets
are rather harmless. And remember that security is _not_
just running a firewall and an antivirus. You should first
keep your eyes open and try to understand the security
implications of what you do.


.
OK...I just installed Kerio Personal Firewall..do you

know that one? if so, do you recommend it? Merci
beacoup pour votre précieuse aide. Clo

 

[Clo]

-----Original Message-----
A good anti-virus program is always wise to have installed. But I firewall
checks ports and can prevent hackers or unauthorized software to enter the
computer or sending information over the internet. However configuring a
firewall is a precise job, because when done wrong people can just walk in
and out without you knowing it. In that case you will have a false feeling
of security. If you connect through a modem, then it is probably not very
interesting, because your connection is slow and you won't be connected for
long. But DSL and Cable connection are open for a long time and are fast, so
in this case it would be interesting to install a firewall. If you use the
proxy-server of your ISP then it is not so important either, but still
advisable. If you have a router with an integrated firewall, then risk of
being hacked is much lower to, so low that a software firewall isn't very
usefull for home use. So I don't agree with these computer experts. It
really depends on your situation. But I wouldn't use the one that comes with
Windows XP.





.
Thanks a million for your advice, well taken. I just

installed Kerio Personal Firewall...are you familiar with
that one? if so do you recommend it? Thanks Clo

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

I think your "computer experts" probably won't be in business very
long, if this example is typical of the general quality and technical
accuracy of their advice.

In today's Internet environment, only a fool would go on-line,
regardless of connection type, without both a reliable firewall and a
good antivirus application. However, it's not enough just to install
such applications; each and every computer user must learn to properly
configure these applications, rather than relying upon the default,
one-size-fits-all settings. Installing such protective measures
without learning to use them is dangerous, and does create a false
sense of security in many people. Firewalls and anti-virus
applications are essential components of "safe computing," but they
cannot, and should not be expected to, protect the computer user from
him/herself


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Shenan T. Stanley]

Two computer experts (one that owns a shop - sells,
builds and repairs) are both telling me that I should not
install a Firewall cuz it slows down computers. And in
any case when I go in web sites or receive or send e-mail
I'm giving permission to come in anyway. They are
telling that firewalls are useless and as long as I have
a good anti-virus it's enough. What do you think?

I think they want acces to your open ports.

Advice on Firewalls:

http://www.fracas.net/newsgroups/generaladvice.html#firewalls
or
http://tinyurl.com/el9u

You may want to look over the whole page.

--
Shenan Stanley
"Just trying to help"
-------------------------
How to use XPs Help and Support
http://tinyurl.com/fltf

How to Use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups
http://tinyurl.com/fkja

How to use Google
http://www.google.com/help/basics.html
http://tinyurl.com/fkmc
-------------------------

 

[Clo]

-----Original Message-----
Greetings --

I think your "computer experts" probably won't be in business very
long, if this example is typical of the general quality and technical
accuracy of their advice.

In today's Internet environment, only a fool would go on-line,
regardless of connection type, without both a reliable firewall and a
good antivirus application. However, it's not enough just to install
such applications; each and every computer user must learn to properly
configure these applications, rather than relying upon the default,
one-size-fits-all settings. Installing such protective measures
without learning to use them is dangerous, and does create a false
sense of security in many people. Firewalls and anti- virus
applications are essential components of "safe computing," but they
cannot, and should not be expected to, protect the computer user from
him/herself


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH





.
Bruce, I finally installed one, Kerio Personal Firewall,

for now I just go by the default, I'll try to learn how
to configure it properly, not easy for a beginner. Do
you know anything about Kerio or would you have a better
firewall to recommend. Thanks for helping me

 

[Shenan T. Stanley]

Two computer experts (one that owns a shop - sells,
builds and repairs) are both telling me that I should not
install a Firewall cuz it slows down computers. And in
any case when I go in web sites or receive or send e- mail
I'm giving permission to come in anyway. They are
telling that firewalls are useless and as long as I have
a good anti-virus it's enough. What do you think?

I think your "computer experts" probably won't be in business very
long, if this example is typical of the general quality and technical
accuracy of their advice.

In today's Internet environment, only a fool would go on-line,
regardless of connection type, without both a reliable firewall and a
good antivirus application. However, it's not enough just to install
such applications; each and every computer user must learn to
properly configure these applications, rather than relying upon the
default, one-size-fits-all settings. Installing such protective
measures without learning to use them is dangerous, and does create
a false sense of security in many people. Firewalls and anti- virus
applications are essential components of "safe computing," but they
cannot, and should not be expected to, protect the computer user from
him/herself

Bruce, I finally installed one, Kerio Personal Firewall,
for now I just go by the default, I'll try to learn how
to configure it properly, not easy for a beginner. Do
you know anything about Kerio or would you have a better
firewall to recommend. Thanks for helping me

Configuring the firewall is not something most people here will want to do.
It's something you will have to read up on and figure out. As for other
firewall recommendations:

Advice on Firewalls:

http://www.fracas.net/newsgroups/generaladvice.html#firewalls
or
http://tinyurl.com/el9u

You may want to look over the whole page.

--
Shenan Stanley
"Just trying to help"
-------------------------
How to use XPs Help and Support
http://tinyurl.com/fltf

How to Use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups
http://tinyurl.com/fkja

How to use Google
http://www.google.com/help/basics.html
http://tinyurl.com/fkmc
-------------------------