Article by Azwan Asmat

The Internet contains so much information and people can search any information from the comfort of their home. You can search and download software, e-books, ordering books, online ticket booking, doing online banking and so much more.

However, Internet also contains threats that will cost you more than buying a new PC. The hackers can hack into your computer and steal your private and confidential information by using malicious software. If the malicious software gets into your computer, it will attempt to send your private information to the hackers without you knowing.

So, how can we prevent the malicious software from sending our private information? The answer is firewall. Firewall can filter your ingoing and outgoing traffic. Therefore, if any malicious software is trying to send your information to the outside world, it will filter it and your information will stay in your computer safely.

Firewall is a very useful tool and it can take the forms of a router, stand-alone server or software. Some people think that if they have an antivirus installed in their system, they no longer need any extra protection. But without firewall, malicious software can easily send the private information to the hackers.

But how can we test that our firewall is working perfectly? Luckily there is a way to test the firewall. The LeakTest software was created to test if the firewall will be able to block outgoing traffic or not. Shockingly, there are big companies firewalls out there that fail this simple test and they claimed that this test does not prove their firewalls cannot block outgoing traffic.

In my personal opinion, this simple test is very useful to determine if you have a good firewall installed in your system. The LeakTest software is a freeware and you can download it for free. Google it and download and remember to read the instruction before performing the test.

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Article by Yangzi

Windows Protection Middle assists make your Computer secure by alerting you when your security software programs is from date or when your security configurations have to be strengthened. In recent times, even though I was working on my personal computer, I obtained a notification stating that my model features a virus and I have to restart it. I ran a virus scan with AVG but was unable to uncover any virus. I even experimented with to turn on Windows Safety Center and I obtained the dialog box “The Windows Safety Middle Services can’t be started”. In the long run, I chose to communicate with a technical organization offering remote technical support. Veteran technicians accessed my personal computer remotely and resolved my challenge inside very few minutes.

The Protection Center displays your firewall configurations and tells you whether or not your Personal computer is set up to acquire automated software programs updates from Microsoft. Windows Safety Center also demonstrates the position of software made to safeguard against spyware, your On-line Explorer 7 or Web-based Explorer eight safety configurations, and User Account Management. In addition, Windows Protection Center can monitor security services from numerous organisations and display you that are enabled and as much as date.

Usability

You’re able to download Windows Safety Center from Microsoft Windows Update website. Installation process will eat a really smallish span of time. Easily keep to the guidelines onscreen to complete the procedure of set up and don’t forgot windows 7 key.

Attributes

Windows Protection Middle presents all all over protection to the pc and it is capable of safeguarding Web Explorer from hijacking. Some really specific options of Windows Protection Center are outlined below.

one. Firewall: Windows Security Center retains every one of the specifics of the firewall. Windows Protection Middle monitors your model to discover when you have a firewall installed, whether you’ll find it the Windows Firewall or even a firewall item from an additional service. Suppose, if there is an issue using your firewall, Windows Security Middle informs you and allows for advice that will help you proper the issue.

2. Automated Updating: Windows Security Middle validate the automated updating characteristic is enabled and implementing preferred Microsoft configurations. You will definitely acquire an alert and instructions on enabling automatic updating if automated updating shouldn’t be enabled or the settings vary in the suggested configurations.

3. World wide web Protection Configurations: windows password reset Center checks the security settings that can be linked with The web Explorer 7 and Word wide web Explorer eight and warns you anytime your laptop computer is at danger from settings that are lower than proposed amounts.

Limitations

Every time I restart Windows 7, the Safety Center Display pops up and notify me that I don’t have the Windows Firewall turned on. I use SOCKS Firewall and for that reason never demand Windows Firewall safety. We’ve altered the configurations of Windows Firewall nonetheless it however alerts me each individual time when I restart my laptop or computer. Windows Protection Middle is incredibly robust, but it is not really safe enough. Also to Protection Center, you have got to put together a model key to maintain your laptop or computer secure. A strong key can avoid other people from applying your laptop. But Windows 7 even now implementing similar encrypt arithmetic as the former versions of Windows. That will mean in the event you will need to reset Windows 7 key, you can still just use the comparable tactics like Windows Vista or Windows XP or use windows 7 password recovery tool.

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Article by Nick Roche

Did you know that when your computer is connected to the internet, it has over 131,000 ‘ports’ that a hacker could connect to? These ports are like doors in a building and if they aren’t protected properly, then someone could sneak in without you noticing. If the hacker is not installing a virus, they can still do some serious damage without alerting your security software, including transmitting your personal information. So how do you watch all of these doorways to your information? You need a firewall!

In construction terms, a firewall is a fire-resistant wall that subdivides a building to stop the spread of fire from one area to another. In computer terms, we need to stop communications between your computer and others on the internet. A total block of all internet communication would be useless though, so you need a way of selecting which type of communications you want to receive. For this, computer firewalls have rules and filters much like construction firewalls have access doors.

Where do I put this firewall?Firewalls can be on a hardware box (a separate unit or part of your internet modem or router) or can be software installed on your computer. Most popular security software packages also include a firewall. A hardware firewall is great for providing a barrier before your computer is even reached and will also mean that your computer doesn’t have to spend its precious resources on running the firewall software. It also reduces the risk of the firewall itself being compromised, as some viruses can try and disable security software features that are running on your computer. The downside is that a hardware-based firewall can be more expensive and not as easy to configure and maintain if you are unsure of how to use them.

If Microsoft gives me a firewall, do I need another one? The Windows Firewall (on Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Vista) only examines inbound communications coming into your computer from the internet. If your computer becomes infected (e.g. if you install some free software that turns out to have a hidden nasty) then your outbound communication to other computers on the internet won’t be examined or filtered. This can turn your computer into a source of infection, impacting your security and internet connection. It’s also not recommended that you run more than one software firewall as this uses more processing power and can cause conflicts, so if your security software includes a firewall, turn off the Windows Firewall.

If I have a secure wireless connection do l need a firewall?A wireless connection is another way to get onto the internet and wireless security controls who can use that connection. This is similar to allowing who can plug into your phone line. Once you are connected, your 131,000+ ports are still open to hackers, so you still need a firewall. A firewall may be included on your wireless router but it pays to check.

Why does it keep on giving me messages?If you are doing something specific (like installing new software or troubleshooting a connection problem) you may need to temporarily disable your firewall. Software firewalls may alert you that a connection has been attempted and blocked and may ask if you wish to allow that kind of connection in the future. In general, if you are doing something new which would probably involve a connection to the internet, you can allow the connection – either ‘this time only’ or for all future connection attempts. If in doubt, block it, as you can always allow it later if you find that it is needed.

Firewalls provide an enhanced level of security that has now become the minimum standard to protect your computer. They do require a certain level of knowledge or a great computer support person, so talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter to ensure that you are protected.

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