Well it seems in the past few years network and internet security has become a big issue for alot of users. So I have decided to write a little guide to help people understand firewall basics. First lets go over what this guide will NOT cover:

Setting up different manufacturers firewall programs.
Me giving you advice on what firewall is better. (Mainly because I don't use software firewalls on my systems as I find them annoying and needless)

As hackers and other malicious worms/viruses have grown more sophisticated and began to exploit higher layer protocols (DNS, SMTP, POP3, etc.), firewalls have become more advanced and have had to do more to keep your network and computers safe.

Host Based (Software) Firewalls vs Hardware Network Firewalls (Router's etc)

Every firewall runs some soft of firewall software, whether it be in your routers configuartion accesible through your web browser, or through a piece of software that you installed on your computers hard drive. With software firewalls the user normally has to configujre rules and parameters for each piece of software to allow them to work properly.

Hardware firewalls are often marketed as “turn key” because you don’t have to install the software or worry about hardware configuration or conflicts. Software firewalls often may have confusing configurations and can leave the user mind boggled on how to use it properly so you get the right level of protection.

I generally like using hardware standalone firewalls for the following reasons:

Easy to set up, just plug in all your wires and you are ready to go.
It is standalone and won't fail if your computer fails, therefore it's immune to viruses which can compromise your system.

Lately around here I have seen some instances of people running multiple software based firewalls in conjuction with or without conjuction of a hardware firewall (router). Doing so is NOT helpful. It generally ends up causing more problems. It can have adverse effects such as causing a more insecure enviroment for your computer, cause certain programs not to function incorrectly because of all the firewalls the application has to pass through to gain network/internet access.

With the incorporation of SP2 for Windows XP, Microsoft has decided to include a updated version of its ICF( Internet connection firewall). This had caused many trouble foir help desk progessionals and tech support in general. Usually because the person already has a firewall and the ICF conflicts with that firewall, and also some normal non techie users just don't know how to configure a software firewall. (Although ICF is fairly easy to use compared to some firewall apps I have seen in my day).

NoYd's key to internet security and firewall usage:

Run at the MAX ONE SOFTWARE firewall in conjuction with a router or other type of hardware firewall.

Some people have asked me to include setting up different firewalls in this guide along with screenshots etc. That would be nearly impossible for me to as I don't know whbat every runs for software and hardware firewalls.

Well, I'm sure I left a bunch of things out in this guide. I don't have the time ATM to go through everything as there is A LOT to cover just with firewall basics. If you have a suggestion as to something I should add to this guide or need help configuring a firewall, post it here and I will try to help to the best of my knowledge. I will be udating this guide in the near feature to cover some more things...

Enjoy...

Great writeup man. I work doing some computer repair and most people doing even have virus protection or the built in firewall turned on in windows or their router. People complain that oh their computer got haxored or the got a virus. With about 20 minutes and a little bit of reading you are set. Remember update your Virus software and firewall software as well as your firmware for your hardware firewall.

surfin the net without antivirus?? thats like goin to a whorehouse without a condom----not smart

Quote: Lately around here I have seen some instances of people running multiple software based firewalls in conjuction with or without conjuction of a hardware firewall (router). Doing so is NOT helpful. It generally ends up causing more problems. It can have adverse effects such as causing a more insecure enviroment for your computer, cause certain programs not to function incorrectly because of all the firewalls the application has to pass through to gain network/internet access.

No idea who your refering to there ...good writeup...I too prefer the ol' hardware fiewalls...its puts a door on everyhting instead of trying to use band aid style lamo software....and none of them do exactly what is required.

Nice writeup

I run a celeron 1.7ghz 128mb RAM, 20gb harddrive, ati rage 128 video with gentoo linux on it with a iptables firewall. Seems to work well, a little hard to setup if you don't know what you are doing, but I enjoy wasting all that computing power just for a firewall. (yes its running f@h too )

Glad you guys liked the writeup, now that I look at of it theres a bunch of things I need to add/fix. As far as anti-virus goes, I never use anti-virus. I consider myself experienced enough to know not to go to dumb sites, download untrustworthy files, and I don't use internet explorer. It's mostly just common sense stuff.