Miriam said:
I would like to know more about FIREWALLS. Recently I got
"broadband", or ADSL/DSL as it is also referred to.
Because I am now free to be "online" as long as I like, I keep my
computer online sometimes all day. THEN I read somewhere in a 'top
rating' computer magazine, that I should not do that, because I am
making my computer vulnerable to HACKERS and virus attacks. The
magazine recommended/suggested that I install a good "firewall".
I already have Norton Antivirus 2004 installed and I thought that was
all the protection I needed.
Can anyone please give me advice on what I should do for the best. I
do not like the idea of my pc being exposed to hackers and virus
attacks.
I would appreciate ANY help that anybody out there might be able to
offer me.
Regards,
Mim. (22nd April 04)
Your Norton Antivirus will do a good job of protecting you from viruses in
files which you might download over the Internet, or viruses in email
attachments, but it is not designed to protect you from real-time attacks by
hackers. For that, you need a firewall, such as Norton Personal Firewall,
or ZoneAlarm Pro.
Hackers LOVE DSL connections, because they are usually able to be on-line
for extended periods of time, thus giving them time to find entrances into
your system. Some DSL connections also have static IPs, thus making it
easier for them to find you on the Internet. Personally, I do not keep my
connection going continually, even tho I am allowed to. As they say, "A
moving target is harder to hit." Also, I really don't need to have my
connection going for long periods of time, since I do not run a server.
Many DSL providers do not even allow their customers to run servers. If you
need to run a server, check with your DSL provider and ISP before starting
one, or you might wake up one day and find your account cancelled because of
abuse. Also, servers usually require a static IP.
Windows XP provides a basic firewall, which does a good job of protection
from incoming attacks, but it will not insure that Trojan horses which might
already be on your HD attempt to communicate out to the hackers who placed
them there in the first place.
To protect yourself, install a Firewall, and begin practicing safe computing
habits, such as never clicking on attachments in your email which come from
total strangers, and always checking with your friends or family personally
to make sure they sent you email with attachments. Also, NEVER click on
attachments from mail purporting to be from Microsoft (or other software
manufacturer) offering updates in attachments for your Operating System or
programs. Microsoft does not distribute updates to the OS via email.
Clicking on those attachments will almost certainly install Trojans or other
viruses on your system
Most Trojans come in your email disguised as email from Microsoft, or offers
for free things, or offers for free porn. When you click on the attachments
they carry, the Trojan is installed on your HD, and begins its work. Some
Trojans start sending email containing the Trojan to everyone in your
Address Book. Some create "back doors" which make it possible for the
hackers to enter your computer at any time and take it over, or even destroy
your files.
One very insidious form of hacker attack comes in the form of a purported
message from your bank, or credit card company, looking almost exactly like
their official email, and will send you to a web-site which looks almost
exactly like your bank or credit card company web-site. They will be
messages to the effect that for some reason or another, you need to confirm
your account PIN, or your account password, etc. These phony messages will
try to get you to enter your private information, so that they can harvest
it, and use it to defraud you and the bank/credit card company. Banks or
credit card companies would never ask you to send your PIN or password to
them in response to an email in order to confirm any private information.
To sum it all up: If you install good-quality antivirus software (you have
one of the best now), install a good-quality firewall, keep the antivirus
and firewall up-to-date, and practice safe computing habits, you will be
fairly safe.
--
Donald L McDaniel
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