Firewalls
Click on the link that applies:
If your computer is connected directly to the internet
- Either enable and use the firewall that's integral your operating system (Windows Vista, XP | Mac OS X | Linux)
- Or, for greater control or to protect older versions of Windows , install a customisable firewall
To test your firewall use Steve Gibson's excellent ShieldsUp:
- On the ShieldsUp landing page click one of the 'Proceed' buttons
- Click 'Continue' on any pop-up that opens
- Select 'Common Ports' from the graphical tool bar under 'ShieldsUP!! Services'
- This returns a table listing the major ports know to have security vulnerabilities and the state of each of those ports on your particular computer. Steve Gibson's advice on securing the ports is sensible, but a good firewall will achieve the same end.
If your computer is uses a network or router to connect to the internet
- Check that the router or server that is connected to the internet has a firewall installed and enabled as above
- Ensure that you have set the Windows File and Print Sharing options that you need (Windows XP | Vista).
Microsoft has a downloadable guide to file and printer sharing for all versions of Windows prior to Vista (i.e. XP, 2000, ME, 98 and 95).
N.B.Windows File and Print Sharing is part of the suite of Microsoft networking technologies. It allows computers on a network to access and use directories, files and printers located on another machine. There's a fuller description in the Networking Howto
If your computer connects to the internet using Wi-Fi
It's likely that your computer connects to a device called a wireless access point or gateway, which is then either connected to, or is part of, a DSL router or cable modem. Check the documentation that came with the modem or router on how to configure its internal firewall.
It is essential to make sure that the link between the wireless access point or gateway and your PC or laptop is encrypted to prevent intrusion, or even bandwidth theft. Details of how to do this are included in the Wireless Howto.
