Firewalls for the everyday

Not Just for Experts

Article from Issue 50/2005
Author(s): , Author(s):

Firewalls are becoming evermore sophisticated. Luckily, the tools for managing firewalls are becoming simpler and more accessible for ordinary users

Your computer lets you see the world, but you don’t want the world to see you. Intruders are becoming more sophisticated, and it isn’t enough anymore to hope they won’t notice your inconspicuous workstation. If you’re connected to the Internet, you’d better be behind some kind of firewall. Firewalls come in many sizes, shapes, prices, and designs. Interestingly enough, what used to be called a firewall is now only one of a wide range of security products. The traditional firewall is a form of router that resides in Layer 3 of the OSI reference model. Layer 3 is the layer of the stack that listens for the Internet Protocol, reads IP addresses, and makes decisions about where to route IP datagrams. A firewall additionally inspects the Layer 4 (TCP or UDP) headers to identify services and evaluate flags.

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
Print Issues
Digital Issues
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Print Subs
Digisubs
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • Bridgewall

    Firewalls are typically implemented as routers,but it doesn’t have to be that way. Bridging packet filters have a number of advantages,and you can add them to your network at a later stage without changing the configuration of your network components.

    more »
  • Guarddog

    The KDE Guarddog program promises an easy Linux firewall setup with just a few clicks. Guarddog helps inexperienced users secure computers – and even whole networks – against attack.

    more »
  • Firewall Logfile Analyzers

    Netfilter firewalls create highly detailed logfiles that nobody really wants to inspectmanually. Logfile analysis tools like IPtables Log Analyzer,Wallfire Wflogs,and FWlogwatch help administrators keep track of developments and filter for importantmessages.

    more »
  • Shorewall

    When users think about their workstations at home, they often forget about security. But danger is out there,waiting to pounce on the unsuspecting. Shorewall helps everyday Linux users keep the intruders away.

    more »
  • KTools: KMyFirewall

    Linux has a fantastic selection of firewalls for securing stand-alone computers or whole networks. Although you can use IPTables to set up a firewall, the configuration is often the most difficult step. KMyFirewall offers a powerful, user-friendly, GUI-based approach.

    more »
comments powered by Disqus

Visit Our Shop

Trial Subscription

Digital Subscription

Subscribe

Direct Download

Read full article as PDF:

Firewalls_Intro.pdf (169.86 kB)

Linux Administration

News

Tag Cloud

Administration Community Events Hardware Linux Linux New Media Linux Pro Magazine Mobile Programming Software Ubuntu Web Development Windows free software open source