|
Broadband Suppliers:
Home >>
eSecurity >> Firewalls |
|
Broadband Computer Security
|
|
|
|
Firewalls
|
|
Broadband and Firewalls
|
| A firewall is essential on today's internet. Every
computer connected to the internet is a target for automated programs which
search for vulnerable computers. This is how the latest types of virus spread:
by independently locating and then infecting vulnerable computers. |
|
| By taking the time to install a firewall, the computer
user has protected their computer from most internet threats such as automated
vulnerability searching, IP block scanning and hackers. |
|
| A firewall works by scanning the incoming internet
traffic and detecting any attempts to gain access to the computer. It also 'hides'
the computer from unwanted attention by going into 'stealth mode'. |
|
| During normal internet operation, a remote computer
will send out a request to another machine. If it receives a response, the remote
machine 'knows' the other machine is there and will attempt to make a connection.
This is how computers communicate normally on the internet. |
|
| By exploiting this, hackers 'know' which computers
will respond. A firewall hides the users computer by refusing to acknowledge
any unwanted requests, which in effect, makes it 'invisible'. This is why it
is called 'stealth mode'. |
| |
|
<< Back
|
|
