Seras IT provides IT services and assistance to clients all over the state of South Carolina. We pride ourselves on being able to effectively assist our clients in Columbia, Lexington, Sumter, Newberry, and many other places in the area. As part of that high level of service we like to advise our clients on a variety of ways they can protect and maintain their IT equipment. In this series of articles we are going to explore things you can do on your PC to ensure it is properly maintained and protected for peak performance. Part 3 will address the importance of having a firewall.
This is part of the PC Maintenance and Performance Series
What is a Firewall?
A firewall is a barrier that prevents unauthorized access to and from a private network. It monitors network traffic and will identify and block unwanted traffic. Firewalls monitor packets of data and determine whether or not the data is safe. These determinations are made based on a set of rules that are established by the admin. Firewalls provide varying levels of protection.
Types of Firewalls:
There are three basic types of firewalls. These are called “client-based,” “appliance,” and “cloud-based” firewalls
Client-based firewalls are software that reside on the device. They monitor network traffic on that specific device. Software is internal and is typically a program on your computer that works through port numbers and applications. Appliance firewalls are a hardware device that connects between your device and the internet. Hardware firewalls are physical, similar to a broadband router. They provide additional layers of security from your private network and the outside. This is often used in home office or larger environments where sensitive data is stored. There are also Cloud-based firewalls. These are known as “Firewall as a Service” (FaaS). Cloud based firewalls provide additional layers of security when accessing data you have stored in the cloud.
Why is a Firewall important?
A firewall is the first line of defense for your network security. They work by protecting your computer from unwanted access. Attackers are constantly looking for vulnerable devices that are connected to the internet. Once on your device, that attacker can steal personal information. Firewalls identify and block unwanted content while helping preventing access to outside attacks. A firewall most importantly assists in keeping your private information secure and helps create a safe and secure network for home or multi-person environments.
How does a Firewall work?
A firewall acts as a gatekeeper or traffic guard. It monitors and prevents any attempts to gain access to your local networks and devices. Think of a firewall as a barrier or filter between your device and another network. Your standard operating system comes with security software that typically has a pre-installed firewall. It is important to check and ensure that these features are turned on and that it is configured to run updates automatically. A firewall operates on a based set of rules that are set by the admin. This would classify as a software firewall.
Firewalls work differently depending on the type of firewall that you choose to go with. Hardware firewalls can have different configurations than a standard installed firewall. They will only accept incoming data packets that it has been configured to accept. It validates access by assessing any network traffic for malicious activity or content. A firewall will only allow trusted sources or IP addresses into your network.
What are the main risks of not having a Firewall?
Some folks think that since they already practice safe internet habits that they do not need a firewall. Some safe internet practices that you may already use are: not clicking on unknown links or attachments, only logging on to trustworthy websites, never giving out personal information, and using strong password practices for each online account. However, just because you practice these steps, it does not mean that you are fully protected. Cyber threats are constantly changing and evolving.
Without a firewall for your network you have complete open access. Meaning that you are accepting every connection from anyone onto your network. This leaves you with no way to detect incoming threats and leaves your device vulnerable. You could also be subjected to lost or compromised data. Exposed devices could allow a hacker to gain control over any device on your network. They could delete your data or commit identity theft or financial fraud. Hackers could also shut down your network or cause network crashes. The process of getting your network up and running again and recovering your lost data could prove to cost you time and money.
As always, Seras can help assist you with any of your maintenance and repair questions or needs. Call us at 803.233.9216 or email us at info@serasit.com
