| band Internet access is now available to most | | | | of your computer hidden behind the IP of another |
| users and web sites are developing into complex | | | | device such as a modem or router. |
| constructs that a short time ago few would | | | | Firewalls: |
| believe possible. Cable Internet service is one of | | | | A firewall is a system that imposes access |
| the prime drivers in this fast paced growth. With | | | | controls between two networks. The purpose of |
| an existing network in place, it was a simple | | | | this is too keep out hackers, worms, viruses and |
| matter to configure the network to handle | | | | other harmful traffic. The name is derived from a |
| Internet packets and get users flying down the | | | | very literal process that prevents the spread of |
| information superhighway. | | | | actual fires. When a fire begins to spread through |
| The new blazing speeds come with new dangers | | | | a forest area, firefighters dig trenches and |
| as well. With "always on" cable internet | | | | saturate areas with water. These areas are called |
| connections, intruders have more opportunity to | | | | firewalls. |
| access or damage your computer. This means | | | | Firewalls that protect computers work in much |
| your address is always the same, and you are | | | | the same fashion. They sit between the |
| easier to find. With this in mind, we will look at | | | | computer and the Internet and monitor activity |
| three products that can make your cable Internet | | | | that crosses them. They can be configured in |
| experience a much safer one; NAT, Firewalls, and | | | | many different ways, offering very little to iron |
| Anti-Virus Software. | | | | clad protection. The two types of firewalls readily |
| Anti-Virus Software: | | | | available to home users are software firewalls and |
| Anti-virus software is an application that runs on | | | | hardware firewalls. |
| an individual computer that scans files for threats. | | | | Software firewalls run on individual computers in a |
| How this scanning process works depends on the | | | | network, and only protect the computer that it is |
| software you are using, but most can be set to | | | | installed on. An example is the firewall that comes |
| check every file as it arrives on your computer, | | | | with Windows XP. Although it is an extremely |
| allowing possible threats to be stopped before | | | | simplistic firewall, it offers a general protection |
| they infect your computer. | | | | with ease of use. |
| This software can also be used to scan existing | | | | Hardware firewalls are devices that sit on your |
| files, as well as boot disks and memory. It is s | | | | network between all computers and the Internet. |
| good idea to schedule your software to check | | | | These firewalls are very diverse, and offer a |
| your system periodically in case something got | | | | myriad of configurations. Though more |
| through. | | | | complicated than traditional software firewalls, it is |
| NAT (Network Address Translation): | | | | generally understood that hardware firewalls |
| NAT offers an elegant solution to cable Internet's | | | | afford a greater level of protection. |
| static IP issue. Network Address Translation is a | | | | The three security measures discussed here are |
| process in which IP addresses on a private | | | | not the only methods available to secure your |
| network are kept hidden. Home users frequently | | | | cable connection, and nothing is totally secure. |
| use a method referred to as "masquerading", and | | | | Hackers are finding new ways to exploit |
| it is an effective method of protecting yourself | | | | weaknesses in security everyday; therefore new |
| from anyone attempting to access your | | | | measure must be used daily to defend against |
| computer. | | | | this. When deciding on what security measures to |
| Masquerading allows more than one device to | | | | take, it is usually best to use more than one. A |
| share an IP on a network, and has several uses. | | | | firewall and anti-virus software used together is |
| Multiple computers can share an Internet | | | | greatly more effective than if just one or the |
| connection without purchasing multiple IP | | | | other is alone. When it comes to security as with |
| addresses from your provider, individual firewalls | | | | many things, more is better. |
| can be set up in series, and this also keeps the IP | | | | |