I read about hardware firewalls all the time. I would like to see one
sometimes. The best I have come across is firmware, that is implemented
in PROM so hackers can not change it. I suspect that is what folks
really mean when they talk about a hardware firewall. And even that
makes it kind of hard to open a port for something like your p2p
program. There are now thousands of TCP/IP ports but most folks only
need a half dozen or so, a firewall blocks access to the others. Of
course only brain dead OS like windows really need firewalls as with
UNIX you can disable those you do not need right in the OS.
Of course Paul's firewall is truly a hardware firewall, as is the one
between my appartment and the next <grin>.
graywolf
http://www.graywolfphoto.com
http://webpages.charter.net/graywolf
"Idiot Proof" <==> "Expert Proof"
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Mat Maessen wrote:
On 5/12/06, graywolf <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Oh yes, a firewall is a piece of software that blocks all but a certain
necessary few network portals. It prevents hackers from getting into
your system by back doors (very simplified explanation, network books
usually give at least a chapter to firewalls).
Firewalls can be implemented in hardware, and I HIGHLY recommend that
anyone who has an always-on high speed internet connection
(DSL/cable/fios/whatever) to use one.
You can buy one at your local computer retailer. Some of them offer
the option of wireless network connectivity included. They are very
easy to set up, and do wonders for the security of the average windows
XP-installed computer.
-Mat
