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Personal Firewalls - Secure Your Computer
There has not been a time in the history of the personal computer that firewalls and anti-virus programs have been more necessary and in-demand. Today, personal computer security is not only threatened by viruses and worms, but also by spyware - those severely annoying programs that are illegally loaded onto your computer from the internet. Spyware programs can seriously undermine the operating structure of your computer, as well as make you vulnerable to identity theft and other criminal activities. Firewalls, long since a staple in the corporate world for defending large, expensive internal intranets or other networks, has now come into its own as a tool for personal computer owners as well. Your home computer is just as susceptible - if not more so - to online attacks, so why should it not be protected? What is a firewall, anyway? For those of you who may not be as versed in the pc security lingual as some, we offer here a fairly simple definition. A firewall is a collection of security programs that act to block unauthorized users from gaining access to a particular computer network (or single computer). Most firewalls also comprehensively monitor and report the data transfers between the network and the outside internet environment. Thus, they are quite effective in keeping your computer or network safe, allowing you to access the internet without taking a high security risk. Sygate Personal Firewalls There are few highly reputable firewall providers out there, and Sygate is certainly one of them. Here we go over some of the features of the Sygate line firewalls, so that you may choose the best one for your pc or server. Sygate currently offers two main personal firewalls: the Sygate Personal Firewall (SPF) and the Sygate Personal Firewall Plus (SPFP). The major differences between the two are the advanced features you will only find on the SPFP. With the Plus version you will get VPN support, intrusion detection system (IDS), active reponse, and anti-mac, anti-ip spoofing. Both versions of the software come with the material that any pc user should really make sure they have: the main "application" firewall, intrusion alarm system, attacker tracing system, and security policy customization. These features are what are really necessary for a firewall to protect your home computer. The firewall needs to be able to block outsiders from gaining access to your computer, and they need to alert you when an attack has been attempted (or is in progress). Considering that the SPF is essentially free to download, and contains the elements you really need, this is the application we recommend for home pc users. For small business networks, the more advanced features offered by the Sygate Personal Firewall Plus is certainly worth the $40.00 pricetag. Both options are solid firewall applications and can be highly trusted to perform well on nearly any system. Norton Personal Firewalls Sygates closest competition in the area of personal firewall is Norton. Norton anti-virus programs are very well known, and have largely carried the brand over the last decade. Although less well known, Norton offers a powerful and comprehensive firewall program for home pc owners. Norton Personal Firewall 2005 is similar to the Sygate Personal Firewall program mentioned above. Some of the neat features of this application include the Norton Privacy Control (which keeps information from being sent without your knowledge in email, instant messages, MS Office attachments, and various forms on the web, such as those you enter your credit card number in), and intrusion prevention system that automatically blocks suspicious incoming traffic (from hackers, etc.). If this product is anywhere near as well designed and engineered as the anti-virus programs from Norton, then it is definately worth a look. The software can be downloaded or ordered online for $49. Bradley James is a senior editor at SciNet.cc, a website containing many helpful consumer electronics review articles. For more information on personal firewalls, please visit our personal firewall webpage.
MORE RESOURCES:
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CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies New Survey Finds a Paradox of Confidence in Software Supply Chain Security Security Boulevard EXCLUSIVE: Two students uncover security bug that could let millions do their laundry for free TechCrunch Amazon security guard tries to kill unsuspecting boss before he's shot dead in gunfight with police: 'He almost executed me' New York Post FCC proposes BGP security measures Network World Endpoint Security and Network Monitoring News for the Week of May 17; Alkira, Preamble, c/side, and More Solutions Review Diddy Seen Physically Assaulting Cassie in Never-Before-Seen 2016 Hotel Security Footage Entertainment Tonight Putin has ditched his paranoid security chief. Here are 5 of the wackiest things Nikolai Patrushev has said. POLITICO Europe RSA Conference 2024: AI and the Future Of Security Security Boulevard Fox News Poll: Abortion, economy, and border security are top deal-breakers in 2024 elections Fox News See cops working security at Tacoma grocery stores? Here’s why and what policies allow Tacoma News Tribune OWASP dep-scan: Open-source security and risk audit tool Help Net Security Opinion | Is TikTok Chinese ownership a U.S. national security issue? Come on. - The Washington Post Opinion | Is TikTok Chinese ownership a U.S. national security issue? Come on. The Washington Post UN sexual violence envoy pulls out of Security Council briefing on Hamas hostages The Times of Israel 7 months since Oct 7, UN Security Council holds first meeting entirely dedicated to Israeli hostages in Gaza All Israel News PKI-Based Passkeys Lead The Way For A Passwordless Future Security Boulevard Multnomah County Signs $40 Million Contract for Armed and Unarmed Security at County Facilities, Including Public ... Willamette Week An inspector general warned the Justice Department of gaps in its security clearance appeals process Government Executive Enabling Continuous Zero Trust in Multi-Cloud Environments with Netography Fusion Security Boulevard May 17: IDF fighter jet carries out rare strike on target in West Bank city of Jenin The Times of Israel Votiro Keeps Up the Momentum in 2024 Security Boulevard A Free, Prosperous, and Secure Future for Ukraine - United States Department of State Department of State The Best Home Security Systems of 2024 Security.org The situation concerning Iraq - Security Council, 9628th meeting Welcome to the United Nations JLOTS, an obscure Army-Navy capability, arrives in Gaza NavyTimes.com Brothers Indicted for Stealing $25 Million of Ethereum in 12 Seconds Security Boulevard Cybersecurity Insights with Contrast CISO David Lindner | 5/17/24 Security Boulevard The Dell API Breach: It could have been prevented Security Boulevard 'Abnormal' security video, Google Drive led to Stephan Sterns' arrest in Madeline Soto case, documents show WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando America's Envoy to the United Nations Gets 'Honest' With Security Council About the Fate of Hamas's Hostages The New York Sun Making Safety and Security Intrinsic to School Design Campus Security Today Response to CISA Advisory (AA24-131A): #StopRansomware: Black Basta Security Boulevard USENIX Security ’23 – AEX-Notify: Thwarting Precise Single-Stepping Attacks Through Interrupt Aware... Security Boulevard U.S. Security Cooperation with Ukraine - United States Department of State Department of State Belgium cuts off ticket sales for soccer match against Israel over ‘security concerns’ The Times of Israel Security fog machine helps deter burglars from Chatsworth business FOX 11 Los Angeles French security forces impose 'calmer' situation in New Caledonia under emergency powers FRANCE 24 English In first, UN Security Council holds meeting solely focused on hostages held by Hamas The Times of Israel Donald Trump to visit St. Paul. What are the security expenses? St. Paul Pioneer Press |
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