» A look at Hardware and Software Firewalls «
Intro
Off-the-shelf firewalls
The basic fact is that any system is vulnerable to attack at present - any site is a target for crackers to break into, although it depends on the motive. If you are running off-the-shelf software with the factory defaults installed then it's only a matter of time before you are hacked. Without a firewall though, depending on your bandwidth and system, you will likely be compromised within hours, if not minutes of going online... Realistically as a home user you will not be actively targets, but kiddie scripters with port scanners and Trojans etc will be more than happy to use you to attack someone else, taking your credit card details while they are at it...
For home users and small businesses, something free like Zone Alarm might but adequate but personally I'd pay the extra and get an uptodate copy of Symantec's Internet Suite which includes an excellent firewall and antivirus.
Symantec Security Check is a free utility to scan you for vulnerability and Trojans
You can protect your network with a product such as CommandView Firewall from Elron, which rates supreme, thanks to its straightforward interface and high level of sophistication. For companies with larger networks, products such as Check Point Software Technologies Firewall-1 at Check Point may be the answer.
I was going to put a load of links and information in later until I found: Firewall.com - thousands of links on the subject, all categorised.
Not sure about this one, but AlphaShield have a plug-in device to hide your IP claiming it's 100 percent unhackable, or your money back. Personally I think that's a bold claim to be only backed up by a refund…
Meantime, here's PC Stats beginners guide to Firewalls and Internet Security
PC Pro view of "Agnitum OutpostPersonal Firewall Pro 2"
From the screen shot it Outpost Firewall looks rather nice. Davey Winder gave it a six star rating too!
I suppose system security wants a whole section of its own. For now, you could do worse than visit:
