search technology reviews, news, features, group tests
Popular Searches:   windows , asus , free
Mobile Edition  | 
 |  Register
 |  Newsletters  | 
Sitemap  |  RSS
RSS
Wednesday December 2, 2009 12:02 PM AEST
Skip Navigation LinksPC Authority > Group Tests > Fight fire with fire

Fight fire with fire

by Staff Writers  on Jan 11, 2002
Tags: Fight | fire | with | fire
Forgetting the hype for a moment, the Internet *is* a dangerous place. In the Internet age complacency is one of
the greatest dangers facing business. While many companies assume that viruses an
Forgetting the hype for a moment, the Internet *is* a dangerous place. In the Internet age complacency is one of
the greatest dangers facing business. While many companies assume that viruses and hackers are the problem of Big Business, attacks and intrusions from within and without a small companys network are commonplace. Once you connect your network to the greater Web you open yourself up to a wide array of problems.

Viral outbreaks, back-door trojans, malicious script kiddies, sniffers and even your own staff s actions place your digital valuables at risk. Connecting your network to the Internet without security is like leaving your business door wide open, with the lights on. A firewall serves as a sturdy lock on that door, with a hulking, over-eager security guard checking the ID of everyone that tries to enter the building.

Firewalls come in two types: software or hardware. Hardware firewalls have numerous advantages over their soft counterparts: they can double as hubs, routers and VPN switches. Some even feature email and content filtering services.

Depending on what you want from your firewall and how many users it must regulate, you can pay up to
$60,000 or more for an enterprise version. Thankfully for the home or small business user, hardware firewalls start from around $250.

For this months Labs weve placed a price ceiling of $2,500 for the units. This may seem expensive, and it is a lot of money to outlay for a small business, but it only takes one successful attack or intrusion on an unprotected network to drive home the importance of security. After all, you dont drive to your competitor and drop off your accounting books for them to leaf through, so why leave your files unprotected?

Unfortunately one of problems of having a firewall on your network is that it too breeds complacency. Most firewalls are set-and-forget affairs, but it pays to be vigilant. Fortunately no hacker or script kiddie infiltrates a protected network without leaving traces from their initial probing. Most firewalls have decent event logging, some even feature advanced trace-back functions, but it pays to keep and frequently check the
event logs.

Weve rounded up twelve of the best hardware firewalls on the market, and run them through a gamut of tests. We evaluated them on ease-of-use including the initial setup and configuration, features, functionality, price and ability
to handle and report attacks. Theres a glossary of terms on page 109 plus a list of what kind of attacks can happen on page 102. Enjoy.

LABS EDITOR Darren Ellis
This article appeared in the December, 2002 issue of PC Authority.


Ads by Google

RELATED ARTICLES
Intel Xeon 5500 series: 14 CPUs tested and compared
Intel Xeon 5500 series: 14 CPUs tested and compared
The Nehalem-based xeons are a landmark release, with exceptional performance married to great power.
Online backup
Online backup
With online services easier to use and cheaper than ever, there’s now no excuse not to back up your files, says Stuart Andrews.
Labs roundup: Sub $2500 Consumer notebooks: Introduction
Sixteen notebooks under $2500, we've separated the winners with the goods from the less impressive performers.
Comments

Be the first to comment on this article.
Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.
Login or register to submit a comment.


Buyer's Guides

 
Intel
 
PC Authority Featured Retailers
hot bargains from the mwave store
City Software, Australia's online computer store with up to 80% off RRP
special offers from dell
Special promotions from the Apple store - Redeem here
PC Authority Featured Retailers
 
Amazing Dell Coupons now available
 
Discover Apple
 

Plan Finder

Powered by WhistleOut

1) Apple iPhone 3GS 16GB34 plans 21%
2) Apple iPhone 3GS 32GB34 plans 1%
3) Blackberry Curve 85205 plans 2%
4) Nokia N9742 plans 1%
5) Nokia 5800 XpressMusic35 plans 6%
Three Vodafone
« 1 of »
1) Netspace33 plans 11%
2) iiNet32 plans 6%
3) Internode34 plans 12%
4) Optus47 plans 8%
5) Telstra BigPond25 plans 1%

Compare: Mobiles | Broadband

PC Authority