Blazing Firewalls… or great balls of firewalls
an article by R Lipsky

Another attack that you can expect if you spend any time on the internet is called a port probe. There are distinct classes of hacker tools that are meant to cruise the internet looking for systems that are vulnerable to attack. You see, just as your computer has ports that it uses to communicate with devices, such as printers, keyboards and mice, there are internet ports that your computer uses to get web pages and email, among other data. If a hacker finds a vulnerable port on your machine they may be able to get on your machine, browse your data, and cause problems.

The way to prevent these attacks is to use a good firewall utility. Just a couple of years ago, it was recommended that systems that had a continuous hook-up to the internet, such as cable or ISDN lines use a firewall. If you had a part time dial-up connection you really didn't need one. Back then, a firewall that was in a piece of hardware was the best way to go. These days going on the internet without a firewall on your system is just asking for trouble. The good news is that good firewalls now come as software, and are relatively inexpensive. They are certainly less expensive then cleaning up after a bad attack.

There are many different programs out there. Some do a better job at defending systems then others. Any good firewall utility should be fully configurable to data let in and out from the programs that you need to use. Firewall utilities or walk a fine line in permitting applications that you use, and alerting the user to potential harmful internet communication.

Norton Internet Security for example will pop up a window that will inform you that an application is trying to access the internet. It will ask the user whether to permit the application to access the internet or not. A good rule of thumb to use is to allow the program to access the internet if you are using that application at the time. For instance, if you are using America Online, and a pop-up window asks you whether to allow AOL to access the internet or not. Answer yes. You want to allow it to access the internet. At that time you would probably want to check the box that says 'always allow this application…' so that every time you access the internet through AOL you won't get this pop-up window annoying you. On the other hand, if you are not trying to send messages, or get a website, and you get one of these pop-up windows that says an application is trying to access the internet, this would indicate that something is happening on your computer that you are not in control of. This does not necessarily mean that you have a virus, or a Trojan horse on your system, but it certainly is worth investigating. Try to find out what application is trying to access the internet, or just tell the pop-up window to not permit the access, now or in the future, until you find out what's going on.

Click on this link to request a copy of Norton Internet Security Suite 2002 at special discount prices.

...continued next month.

*Rich Lipsky is the owner and operator of ComputerHelp911.com, a local company that specializes in solving computer problems for local residents and businesses since 1995.
Rich is available for questions, or for
consultation. You can reach him at:

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