Re: Firewall Necessity

From: HillBillyBuddhist (hillbillybuddhist_at_shoescolumbus.rr.com)
Date: 02/28/04 

Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2004 07:20:12 -0500

"Spiderman" <spiderman@spiderman.com> wrote in message
news:rcednet3Mdsk1d3dRVn-vg@comcast.com...
 Can
| anyone give me an actual example of an outside attack on a non-virus
| infected PC that causes ACTUAL damage or theft to the PC...
|

Yes. One good reason (among many already mentioned) to run a firewall. DDos
attacks. (see link below)

http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,289893,sid9_gci557336,00.html

 You see where it says;

"On the Internet, a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack is one in
which a multitude of compromised systems attack a single target"

You know what those "compromised systems" making these attacks are? They are
thousands of personal computers belonging to every day people just like you
and me. These systems all became "compromised" when software installed on
their computers carried a hidden payload that "compromised" their system and
turned it into a zombie to be used in an DDos attack.

Antivirus software isn't stopping it. A NAT router won't stop it. *A
properly installed and configured firewall on the other hand will.* DDos
attacks can only occur if the "compromised" computer can make an outbound
connection.

As many others have told you times have changed. For example when Windows XP
came out inbound firewall protection seemed to be good enough. Now it isn't.
Windows XP SP2 will address the issue by making their firewall
bi-directional. Even Microsoft can see the need . <g>

I know you're too smart to be taken in. That's what the thousands of already
compromised computer owners thought/think. You could be compromised right
now but without a firewall to warn you of a parasite attempting to make an
outbound connection from your computer you'd have no way of knowing it.

Not your problem? Sure is. DDos attacks alone are costing the IT community
millions of dollars in lost productivity and security expenditures. (yes
millions) Who do you think ultimately winds up paying for the increased
cost? That's right you and me. Internet service, banking, software,
Antivirus subscription renewals, cellular service, anything you can name
that uses technology (and what doesn't) costs more because of these types of
security concerns. In today's Internet environment it is everyone's
responsibility to take proper steps in securing their own computers. This
includes a firewall.

You said in your first post you wanted to hear from the experts (of which I
am decidedly *not* one) You've heard from several and they all agree, yet
you continue to argue. Why again did you ask? 

-- 
D
I'm not an MVP a VIP nor do I have ESP.
I was just trying to help.
Please use your own best judgment before implementing any suggestions or
advice herein.
No warranty is expressed or implied.
Your mileage may vary.
See store for details. :)
Remove shoes to E-mail.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Are these hacks?
    ... > Why would so many people want to attack me? ... computers, because computers are becoming and everyday fact of life. ... The victims are those who don't know to use a firewall, ... the Internet without a FW or firewall like appliance of some type period. ...
    (comp.security.firewalls)
  • Re: Firewall Necessity
    ... One good reason to run a firewall. ... a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack is one in ... thousands of personal computers belonging to every day people just like you ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Why not patch all windows and not just legal copies
    ... Security is about reducing attack surfaces, ... dont patch ... Can we harden Windows to resist arbitrary attacks? ... of windows the ability to patch their computers. ...
    (microsoft.public.security)
  • Re: Why not patch all windows and not just legal copies
    ... Security is about reducing attack surfaces, ... dont patch ... Can we harden Windows to resist arbitrary attacks? ... windows the ability to patch their computers. ...
    (microsoft.public.security)
  • Re: Way OT Computer Security
    ... China and has serious effects. ... A router can handle an incoming attack and probes much better ... to store malicious code in the PC's BIOS flash memory. ... most home computers are used for game playing, ...
    (alt.support.diabetes)