Discount Office 2007 Home PC Firewall Guide

web site statistics
House Pc Firewall Guidebook
The Internet is really a hostile network much like the wild west without a sheriff! A private laptop or computer connected towards the Net with out a firewall could be hijacked and extra to a web outlaw's botnet in just a few minutes. A individual firewall can block malware that could otherwise scan your pc for vulnerabilities and then try to break in at a weak point.

The only way to make a house laptop or computer 100% secure is to turn it off or disconnect it from the world wide web. The real issue is how to make one 99.9% secure when it is connected. At a minimum, residence computers need to have personalized firewall and anti-malware software installed and kept up-to-date to find and remove viruses, spyware, Trojans and other malware. A home network that uses a wired or wireless router with firewall features provides additional protection.




Home Computer Firewall Choices

Choices -- Your choices include using the firewall built into Windows, using a third party product, choosing a web security suite that includes a firewall, and/or using a hardware firewall router or gateway.

Microsoft Windows Firewall -- The Windows 7, Vista and XP Service Pack 2/3 operating systems have firewalls built in that are turned on by default to block threats from the web. You should leave this feature turned on until you replace it with third-party software and/or hardware.

Two-Way Third-Party Personal Firewall Software -- These firewalls block both incoming and outgoing threats. A pc may have outgoing threats when it becomes infected with a virus,Microsoft Office 2007 Product Key, Trojan horse or spyware. A challenge for this type of firewall is to distinguish between threats and legitimate software. Three common ways to address this are by vendors including a list of safe software for the firewall to check [white list], malware to block [black list] and/or by issuing a pop up alert on the user asking for advice on what to do [better for experts]. For links to vendors and reviews of over thirty products, see our Individual Firewall Reviews page.

Recommended personal firewalls with links to vendors:
Online Armor Checkpoint ZoneAlarm Firewall Computer Tools Firewall Plus Private Firewall Comodo Firewall Pro Agnitum Outpost Firewall Pro
Internet Security Software Suites -- These products include two or more security features such as a individual firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware and more. For links to vendors and reviews of over thirty products, see our World wide web Security Suites page.

Recommended World wide web security (IS) suites with links to vendors:
Norton Web Security 2011 or Norton 360 V 5.0 Kaspersky IS 2011 BitDefender IS 2011 Webroot IS Complete
Hardware Firewalls -- A hardware firewall is usually a small box that sits between a modem and a computer or network. The firewall is either based on "network address translation" (NAT) which hides your personal computer from the world wide web or NAT plus "stateful packet inspection" (SPI) for more protection. There are three basic types of hardware devices that include firewalls for residence users, Wired Routers, Wireless Routers, and Broadband Gateways. They are inexpensive enough to be used with one personal computer and can also be used to create a residence personal computer network. They can be used in addition to a software firewall on each laptop or computer because they run on a separate box preventing most compatibility problems.

Recommended hardware firewall products with links to vendors:
D-Link 655 Xtreme N Wireless Router with QoS and Gigabit Ports -- "Support for WEP, WPA™, and WPA2™ security standards ensure that you will be able to use the best possible encryption regardless of your other wireless devices. To prevent possible attacks from the internet, the DIR-655 uses dual active firewalls (SPI & NAT) to help protect your valuable data." Editor's Choice -- Pc Magazine, Pc Shopper, LAPTOP Magazine, Maximum Personal computer, Practically Networked... ZoneAlarm Secure Wireless Router with a SPI firewall and WPA2 security also includes gateway antivirus, remote access VPN, intrusion detection and prevention, secure wireless communications, fast wireless performance, extended range, built-in USB 2.0 wireless print server, setup wizard, web-based management,Office Pro Plus 2007, monthly security report, flexible optional services,Microsoft Office Home And Business 2010, automatic updates, online technical support.
Important Tips -- Never use two personal firewall software products at the same time. Fully uninstall one before installing another to prevent compatibility problems. Also, turn off the firewall built into Windows 7, Vista and XP Service Pack 2/3. After installation, be sure to test it with an online service like Security Space to make sure that it is configured correctly.

Staying Up-To-Date -- For current security news,Discount Office 2007, alerts and reviews, see our Internet Security News page and sign up for our free newsletter.

Resources
How Firewalls Work and How Network Address Translation (NAT) Works, HowStuffWorks Understanding Firewalls, US-CERT Tips Firewalls in versions of Windows, Microsoft The Differences and Features of Hardware and Software Firewalls, Vangie Beal, Webopedia,Office Pro Plus 2007 Key, 08-31-2010 Intrusion Detection (IDS) and Prevention (IPS) Systems, Vangie Beal, Webopedia, 08-31-2010