SOFTWARE FIREWALLSFirst let’s consider why you need a Firewall:
A Software Firewall is a cheap (or even sometimes a Free) solution to your worries. A Software Program is just a Computer Program, that you install on your Computer. The Firewall ‘sits’ between the Internet connection and your Computer.
The Firewall included in Service pack 2 of Windows XP (SP2) is a Software Firewall, however this Firewall is not the most secure Firewall in existence.
Many experienced users disable the XP Firewall and install another Firewall instead. Running 2 Firewalls on your Computer at the same time is not a good idea at all, one of the Firewalls can create a weak link in your chain.
You don’t even have to pay for a Software Firewall, there are a couple of Freeware Firewalls available. Freeware Programs are Programs that are completely Free. They are usually made by enthusiasts, or they are used to promote the main Companies Products.
Zone Alarms offer their basic Firewall for Free, but it is their premium Firewall they charge for. The normal user can get their Firewall for free, and they have gained a lot of publicity this way.
The McAfee Firewall is a very popular brand of Firewall, McAfee offer a Firewall, that includes a Virus Scanner in one package. These products are normally more expensive than competing brands, but the extra cost is usually worth it. McAfee offer updates to Virus definitions on a regular basis.
Linux is an Open Source Operating System, that can be used instead of Windows and lately it has become very popular. Many Software applications are developed for the Linux platform, and Firewalls are no exception.
There is even a build of Linux that turns your Computer into a Hardware Firewall, which can be installed in your Network. This is very popular, because a basic Computer is much cheaper than a Hardware Firewall, but thanks to Linux it can do the same job.
Software Firewalls are well suited to individual Computer Protection, they make great Personal Firewalls. Software Firewalls are not usually the most cost efficient way of Protecting a whole Network.
Alternatives for Software Firewalls are Hardware Firewalls. Hardware Firewalls are Physical Devices that you actually plug in between your Computer and the Internet, whereas the Software Program is on the same Computer.
A Hardware Firewall would be cheaper for large Networks, where one Firewall can be installed to protect a whole Network, but you still may want to consider Personal Firewalls on each Computer to protect from Internal Attacks.
A Firewall is only as effective as the person who sets it up. Firewalls no matter how simple they claim to be are actually quite difficult to set up. Every application that tries to access the Internet for the first time will Pop-Up a Rule box, which can be confusing for the novice user.
Many people don’t bother to read the message and will probably just click “Allow”, which defeats the purpose of the Firewall anyway! Some programs have trouble working with Firewalls, and people sometimes have trouble, when they want to print to a Network Printer with the Firewall enabled.
People often end up disabling the Firewall, whenever they want to do something, rather than taking the time to work out how to set the Firewall up correctly.
Certain Ports are always blocked, so you must open them, if you intend to use Xbox live through your Computers Internet connection, then you must open certain Ports on your Firewall, and it can be a pain to find out which ports to open.
Therefore Software Firewalls can sometimes be relative difficult to work with.
Take also a look at our Software Reviews relating to some of the Best Computer Protection Software Programs on the market at -
Computer Software Reviews
Return from
Software Firewalls - to - Firewalls Homepage
|
