Personal Firewalls
What is a personal firewall?
A personal firewall is a software program that will guard your computer
from being accessed by unauthorized users while it is connected to the
Internet. Personal firewalls are designed specifically for home computers/laptops,
not UCSF work stations.
Why should I use a personal firewall?
A personal firewall prevents unauthorized users, such as hackers, from
accessing your personal computer while you are connected to the Internet.
How does a personal firewall protect my computer?
A personal firewall isolates your computer from the rest of the Internet.
It does this by inspecting each packet of data sent to your computer to
determine if it should be allowed to get to your machine.
Are there any drawbacks to using a personal firewall?
Although personal firewalls are an invaluable information security
resource, there are some attacks that personal firewalls cannot protect
against, such as viruses or interception of e-mail. For optimal protection
against the variety of security threats that exist, personal firewalls
should be used in conjunction with other security measures such as anti-virus
software and encryption packages.
What should I consider when I select a personal firewall?
Consider the following:
- Ease of installation and configuration
- Whether the firewall requires you to do something every time you
run it
- If there are parameters that have to be set, is the process complicated
- Availability of online help or technical support
- Whether the firewall provides audit reports identifying time, location
and type of attack (should an attack occur)
- If the personal firewall program offers updates on a regular basis,
keeping you up to date with the latest preventive measures
Where can I get a personal firewall?
The following is a partial list of available personal firewalls:
For a more detailed list of personal firewalls, conduct a search at
one of the following websites:
How can I test my personal firewall?
To test your personal firewall, go to www.grc.com
and request a probe. You will be provided with a report of exactly what
vulnerabilities were found on your computer and what you can do to eliminate
them.
If I have questions, whom should I contact?
For additional information please call ITS’ Information Security Services
at 502-1567 or send e-mail to isecurity@its.ucsf.edu.
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