What is a Firewall?

Basically, a firewall is a barrier to keep destructive forces away from your property. In fact, that's why it's called a firewall. Its job is similar to a physical firewall that keeps a fire from spreading from one area to the next.

A personal computer connected to the Internet without a firewall can be hijacked in just a few minutes by automated hacker 'Bots'. The only way to make a computer 100% secure is to turn it off or disconnect it from the Internet. This is not really viable, so the real issue is how to make your computer 99% secure when it is connected.

ECCP Firewall defence strategy

At ECCP we have several lines of defence to block network attacks.  At the first level, the ADSL router contains a built in firewall to prevent direct TCP/IP access to our computers. The Internal network ID is not valid on the Internet. The router Firewall has been configured by Andrews and Arnold, and is there responsibility, although we do have the ability to configure our own rules in, for example if we want a specific machine to allow certain Windows sockets to be available. This should only be done if a specific piece of software requires it and after consultation with Mike or Samy. If it doubt, leave it alone.

The next line of defence is a personal firewall, ZoneAlarm running on each PC. This version is the free version, and provides basic protection only. The functions are

•           It's a firewall. It's a Firewall. Puts you in control when you're surfing, reading email, and when your computer is idle. It blocks and reports hacker intrusion attempts, quarantines viruses, and gives you control of invasive Internet 'cookies.'

•           It's an invisible shield. Your terminal 'disappears' from hacking attempts, probes, and 'pings' - if they can't see you, they can't harm you. Yet it doesn't interfere with normal PC use - or degrade your system's performance

•           It's a virus controller. ZoneAlarm utilizes the Virus checker Norton Antivirus to prevent potential email viruses, and neutralizes Trojan horse, spyware, and worm threats before they become problems. It also contains its own Email protection MailSafe.

•           It's a hacker stopper. Every day, hackers design programs to crack hundreds of thousands of computers. Yours could be one of them today. ZoneAlarm stops both these random and targeted hacker attacks, by blocking all your PC ports against attacks, and by rejecting attempts to take control of your PC.

•           It's a program controller. The last thing you want is someone else taking charge of your computer for nefarious purposes when you’re not even using it. Good news. ZoneAlarm prevents these viruses and rogue programs from sending your data to hackers by giving you complete control over which programs have access to the Internet - and under what circumstances.