Re: firewall??
- From: Bruce Chambers <bchambers@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 18:56:46 -0600
willywonkatonka5 wrote:
what is a firewal? someone told me i should hvae a firewal.
http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,290660,sid14_gci331881,00.html
they also told me that my machine is probably a zombie. now what is that?
http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,290660,sid14_gci213422,00.html
all i know my computer is very very very slow....it used to be fast. i was going to throw it out and buy another one but they said I would be stupid to do that.
Yes, it would be foolish to discard a relatively new computer just because you haven't learned to maintain it.
What antivirus and anti-spyware applications are you using? Why aren't you using a firewall?
I don't mean to sound unnecessarily harsh, but given today's widely-publicized and well-known hostile Internet environment, only a fool or a masochist would go on-line without both a firewall and antivirus protection.
Such basic precautions are the computing equivalents of wearing seatbelts while driving or riding in an automobile - they're there to prevent/reduce the damage if an accident should occur.
There are several essential components to computer security: a knowledgeable and pro-active user, a properly configured firewall, reliable and up-to-date antivirus software, and the prompt repair (via patches, hotfixes, or service packs) of any known vulnerabilities.
The weakest link in this "equation" is, of course, the computer user. No software manufacturer can -- nor should they be expected to -- protect the computer user from him/herself. All too many people have bought into the various PC/software manufacturers marketing claims of easy computing. They believe that their computer should be no harder to use than a toaster oven; they have neither the inclination or desire to learn how to safely use their computer. All too few people keep their antivirus software current, install patches in a timely manner, or stop to really think about that cutesy link they're about to click.
Firewalls and anti-virus applications, which should always be used and should always be running, are important components of "safe hex," but they cannot, and should not be expected to, protect the computer user from him/herself. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon each and every computer user to learn how to secure his/her own computer.
To learn more about practicing "safe hex," start with these links:
Protect Your PC http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp
Home Computer Security http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/
List of Antivirus Software Vendors http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;49500
Home PC Firewall Guide http://www.firewallguide.com/
Scumware.com http://www.scumware.com/
--
Bruce Chambers
Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once. - RAH
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