I Installed a Network Firewall. What Should I Do Next?
To prevent unintended intrusion from the network and internet by using a network firewall is basically very effective. By applying all of it’s list to block packets, programs, and IPs, unwanted intrusion can be lowered by over 80% of the time. But this is true only on certain conditions.
When is a firewall effective?
Firewalls should be tuned for each unique environment in a network. It depends on the behavior of the data exchange between the users and the network or internet that is permitted by the administrator. I think this is the basic conditions a firewall should be installed upon, so as not to set the firewall to a “default-allow” rule, which will practically make the firewall useless.
To make the best of a firewall, it should be set to the “default-deny” rule, with exceptions for a list of IP’s, applications, access types and confirmations, only to the widest range that the company would really need in network and internet access. It’s best to apply the “default-deny” rule with exceptions that’s based only on a daily needs of the users of the network, although a dedicated technical support that’s responsible for intelligent-”allow-rule”-supervision should be available.
This may be the best security firewall system setting besides antivirus implementation.
Why is it not effective?
It’s tempting to think that we’re really under protection. It’s only that not every network owners really dedicate their small portion of investment to the “default-deny” set of rules implementation, because they refuse to have to add additional exceptions in the future upon someone complaining that he can’t use some internet resources.
They even don’t like more on the necessity of having to update rules based on a daily basis. They aim for an easy to implement solution, without having to mess with it later to make it work.
This issue is not there because the system administrator has no idea regarding the case, but rather because it is a common practice. Commercials and marketing sales pitch that don’t want their products to feel hard to be used effectively also play the role.
How can we make it better on our own system?
To get number one firewall solution installed is fine. It’s just that it’s not only that. It demands us to have at least a little knowledge about firewalls, networks, and how they work.
None that I can remember of all vendors is providing that yet, as they leave that for us to do as users. A little priming is crucial once it is running.
We can make use of a free firewall, or you can find a nice and good antivirus firewall software, install and prime it for the best. By watching the video guide, even begginers can use a firewall like a wizard.
If everything’s taken care of well, and we have the fireawall tuned for the best, all we have to do is just relax and enjoy the day. All in all, it’s all what you have worked hard on and earned, I must say?
This is what really counts!
To achieve things that we want, (network computer security is one of it), the major thing to do is ACTION. Now, what are we waiting for? Let’s do it, and relax when you have a secure networking and internet!
