The world of technology is continuing to grow every day. We are continuously getting access to brand new devices and applications that are improving our lives and businesses. Unfortunately, these advancements also mean online threats and hazards are becoming more sophisticated as well. There are many precautions that we can take and strategies that we can follow that are designed to protect ourselves from intrusions.
Why Do I Need A Firewall?
Everyone has probably heard of antivirus software, and we all have learned to be cautious about opening suspicious emails. These are both reliable ways to protect your computer, but they are not enough to fully ensure your protection. An antivirus security system will monitor your personal devices and software or hardware. A firewall can be put in place to stop threats from ever getting that far.
You might have educated yourself on the threats that come with access to the internet. You could even be very cautious about the emails you open. There are still ways to get around anything connected to the internet. Without knowing it, your operating system could become contaminated from a source you trust just because their own computer security failed them. There are all kinds of online threats that can get on an individual computer unrelated to yours. Then they will quietly wait for the chance to expand and infect more systems. These threats include:
- Trojan horses
- Worms
- Phishing attacks
- Malicious software
- Advanced malware
How Does A Firewall Work?
Experts stress firewall importance because it is a barrier that actively monitors network traffic. It watches for suspicious behavior and has the ability to quarantine or shut off access to various types of threats. True security is all about a layered approach. You need to create a seamless weave of protection where every service compensates for the weak points in the other services. There are multiple types of firewalls, and they operate slightly differently. It just depends on the way the firewall is designed.
- Application gateways: This type of software firewall is effective, but can slow the operations of large businesses that handle large amounts of data across many devices.
- Packet-Filtering Gateways: This kind of firewall is preferable for busy networks that are handling large amounts of data on a daily basis. There are also providers working on a combination of these firewalls into one type of protection.
What Can I Do?
Experts in online security will always recommend personal firewalls and antivirus software. We offer them because they are effective ways to mitigate the risk of being online. Whether or not your systems are safe really comes down to your actions and the precautions you or your employees are taking. There are ways to perform sneak attacks on antivirus programs, and there are ways to circumvent firewalls. The thing hackers cannot breach is you and your strategies.
Here are some straightforward, effective security tips:
- Update your antivirus and firewall protections regularly.
- Choose passwords that are challenging and change them routinely. Never use the same password for different applications.
- Only download material from known trusted sources. Other people can unknowingly compromise your security.
- Be cautious about the emails you read and what attachments you open.
- Turn off your computer when you are not using it. Do not just leave it on standby or on sleep for extended periods of time.
IT service providers can offer a lot of assistance in securing your operations. It really comes down to following safe strategies and keeping a vigilant eye on your systems. Firewalls are a vital part of those defense strategies. They are one more way to defend you and your business from outside threats.