Topic: Some help

[blodflekk]

I was wondering if someone could give me some help with firewalls, in the past I have come and gone between a few firewalls but most of the time just stuck to anti-virus/anti-spy ware with real time protection as firewalls always seemed to confuse me. My impression was installing a firewall would help you monitor incoming traffic and block all unused ports, or give you the ability to, but it seems most programs require manual configuring to get the best results, 1 of the main reasons for throwing away firewalls was throughout the time of using them I would still run manual full system scans with other security software, and Trojans, spy ware, viruses; all the nasties would still come up and have to be removed. I am hoping someone can teach me a bit more and help me set my system up so thing like this don't happen in future, I want to stop my problems before I get them.

[Samker]

Hi Blodflekk & Welcome to SCF Community.

I want to stop my problems before I get them.

This is our main "job" here at SCF, to teach & help people.

Few things about FW:

A firewall is a dedicated appliance, or software running on another computer, which inspects network traffic passing through it, and denies or permits passage based on a set of rules.
A firewall's basic task is to regulate some of the flow of traffic between computer networks of different trust levels. Typical examples are the Internet which is a zone with no trust and an internal network which is a zone of higher trust. A zone with an intermediate trust level, situated between the Internet and a trusted internal network, is often referred to as a "perimeter network" or Demilitarized zone (DMZ).

A firewall's function within a network is similar to firewalls with fire doors in building construction. In the former case, it is used to prevent network intrusion to the private network. In the latter case, it is intended to contain and delay structural fire from spreading to adjacent structures.

Without proper configuration, a firewall can often become worthless. Standard security practices dictate a "default-deny" firewall ruleset, in which the only network connections which are allowed are the ones that have been explicitly allowed. Unfortunately, such a configuration requires detailed understanding of the network applications and endpoints required for the organization's day-to-day operation. Many businesses lack such understanding, and therefore implement a "default-allow" ruleset, in which all traffic is allowed unless it has been specifically blocked. This configuration makes inadvertent network connections and system compromise much more likely.

For the start I'll recommend you also to read "sticked" Topics at our "Security Newbies" section: http://scforum.info/index.php/board,18.0.html


After that (if you want) I'll help you with installation & proper configuration of ZonaAlarm Firewall?

This is my favorite FW with excellent protection. 

cya later,

S.

[blodflekk]

Alright thank you, I have used Zone Alarm quite a few times and it seemed good to me, but yet again it comes back to the configuration issue, I have no idea how to set it up so it will block all unwanted problems.

[Samker]

Ok my friend, let we start. 

First Visit our SCshop: http://scforum.info/scf_shop/scshop.html

After that find ZonaAlarm promotional banner, click on them and you will go to ZA official site. There you will have option to buy licence for some paid version (if you want to unlock some additional protection features) but usually for common protection enough is FREE version "ZoneAlarm Firewall - Free Version".

Please decide which version you want (free or paid), download & install them at your PC and inform be about that after that I'll give you next instruction - settings.

Regards,

Samker

[blodflekk]

sorry, it has been quite some time since i have been near my computer, but i am back now, and i have zone alarm...what is to be done next?

[Samker]

Blodflekk Welcome back to SCF Portal!

Hope you like changes that we make here at the board?

Before I give my recommended configuration i need to know do you have FREE or Paid ZA Version?

Regards,

S.


 

[blodflekk]

Thank you, it's good to be back. I have the full retail Internet security edition

[Samker]

Ok blodflekk, I was make for you few screenshots with important settings and this is also my recommended (firewall) configuration:

















Hope this will help you, anyway you need to have on your mind that ZA will protect you from hackers & internet worms ... but if you make mistakes and download some infected file or be infected via scamers e-mail firewall won't help you.

If you still have some doubts or problem, just shoot. 

All the Best,

S.

[blodflekk]

Thank you for your help, I will work on setting everything up today, but I will come back to this thread with any more assistance i may need. 

[Samker]

Thank you for your help, I will work on setting everything up today, but I will come back to this thread with any more assistance i may need.  

No problem my friend, we will be here.  

Regards to New Zealand from SCF Team.

S.