Monday, August 16, 2004
Personal firewalls: Don't run your PC without one
Who needs a personal firewall and why?
Firewalls aren't just for big companies anymore. Nowadays, they make sense for almost everyone.
Some time ago, firewalls became an indispensable tool to protect critical information on computer systems. That's because firewall technology has been perfected over the years due to overwhelming demand by corporate information technology (IT) staffs, which save companies millions of dollars every year by preventing corporate crime.
A firewall acts like a protective gateway that shields a private computer user or network of users from external threats, such as hackers and viruses.
More recently, "personal firewalls" have been made to suit individual PC users too. That means families, small office/home office (SOHO) users, road warriors, telecommuters and students have an easy way to prevent personal identity and data theft and ensure peace of mind.
In its 2003 "Predictions for Security and Privacy" report, the research firm Aberdeen Group estimates that the number of reported security-related incidents will escalate dramatically to more than 200,000 by the end of 2003. Even more disturbing is the number of unreported security incidents, which will climb from an estimated 4.1 million in 2001 to 15.9 million in 2003, according to the report.
Numbers like these show the need for vigilance in protecting our vital information and data assets. Advances in technology that allow for 24-hour Internet connections and innovative computer equipment also open up these systems to more pervasive intrusions. Individuals use the Internet to work, research, play and communicate, without realizing that their personal information is easily accessible to anyone with the right equipment. Many attacks happen without the victim's knowledge.
Personal computer hardware and software is often a notable investment. Yet the sensitive data stored on our systems is exponentially more important and costly to replace. Think about what you store on your own computer — perhaps it is financial data, private communications, pictures, proprietary files, personal data or passwords. If you run a small business, it may include client lists, accounting information, proposals and contracts, and sales prospect lists.
The Federal Trade Commission estimates the cost to recover a stolen identity or stolen personal data at between $500 and $1,000. However, personal liability and damaged relations with clients and others affected by a theft can quickly multiply your costs. Personal firewalls, which are affordable and easy to use, prevent these scenarios, and protect your credibility and finances.
On an unsecured computer, risk is not diminished if you are only online briefly or are careful not to submit personal information to unknown sites. The chance of having your computer scanned and accessed is substantial, due to the high number of free port scanners available today. Hackers use these scanners to sweep the Internet. The scanners look for computers with open ports that they can connect back to the hacker's local drive, allowing the intruder total access to your computer's files.
New threats arise from computer vulnerabilities each day. Personal firewalls, unlike corporate firewalls, offer a way to protect your personal PC or traveling laptop/notebook, no matter where you are or how you connect to the Internet. You're secure if you take your laptop on the road, dial in from a hotel or airport, use your laptop at school, or work at a local Internet café, regardless of the ISP. Firewalls also protect against some Trojan horses by blocking an outgoing connection attempt when necessary.
Firewalls aren't just for big companies anymore. Nowadays, they make sense for almost everyone.
Some time ago, firewalls became an indispensable tool to protect critical information on computer systems. That's because firewall technology has been perfected over the years due to overwhelming demand by corporate information technology (IT) staffs, which save companies millions of dollars every year by preventing corporate crime.
A firewall acts like a protective gateway that shields a private computer user or network of users from external threats, such as hackers and viruses.
More recently, "personal firewalls" have been made to suit individual PC users too. That means families, small office/home office (SOHO) users, road warriors, telecommuters and students have an easy way to prevent personal identity and data theft and ensure peace of mind.
In its 2003 "Predictions for Security and Privacy" report, the research firm Aberdeen Group estimates that the number of reported security-related incidents will escalate dramatically to more than 200,000 by the end of 2003. Even more disturbing is the number of unreported security incidents, which will climb from an estimated 4.1 million in 2001 to 15.9 million in 2003, according to the report.
Numbers like these show the need for vigilance in protecting our vital information and data assets. Advances in technology that allow for 24-hour Internet connections and innovative computer equipment also open up these systems to more pervasive intrusions. Individuals use the Internet to work, research, play and communicate, without realizing that their personal information is easily accessible to anyone with the right equipment. Many attacks happen without the victim's knowledge.
Personal computer hardware and software is often a notable investment. Yet the sensitive data stored on our systems is exponentially more important and costly to replace. Think about what you store on your own computer — perhaps it is financial data, private communications, pictures, proprietary files, personal data or passwords. If you run a small business, it may include client lists, accounting information, proposals and contracts, and sales prospect lists.
The Federal Trade Commission estimates the cost to recover a stolen identity or stolen personal data at between $500 and $1,000. However, personal liability and damaged relations with clients and others affected by a theft can quickly multiply your costs. Personal firewalls, which are affordable and easy to use, prevent these scenarios, and protect your credibility and finances.
On an unsecured computer, risk is not diminished if you are only online briefly or are careful not to submit personal information to unknown sites. The chance of having your computer scanned and accessed is substantial, due to the high number of free port scanners available today. Hackers use these scanners to sweep the Internet. The scanners look for computers with open ports that they can connect back to the hacker's local drive, allowing the intruder total access to your computer's files.
New threats arise from computer vulnerabilities each day. Personal firewalls, unlike corporate firewalls, offer a way to protect your personal PC or traveling laptop/notebook, no matter where you are or how you connect to the Internet. You're secure if you take your laptop on the road, dial in from a hotel or airport, use your laptop at school, or work at a local Internet café, regardless of the ISP. Firewalls also protect against some Trojan horses by blocking an outgoing connection attempt when necessary.
# posted by firewall software @ 8:17 PM 
