Just because you are behind a NAT, you are still susceptible to attacks. Don't let a phone gut tell you any different. As a user you are bound to open something you shouldn't have and give it access. This is where your software firewall comes into play. Better safe than REALLY sorry later.
No matter how you protect the Internet/LAN border, you may need to add another layer of security by using a software personal firewall. These programs must be run on each computer on your LAN that you want to be protected. They monitor network activity and protect against unauthorized use of the Internet by programs that manage to get onto your LAN's computers.
You should consider adding this additional layer of security if:
- You are opening/forwarding/mapping ports to any LAN computers
- You have a computer running in DMZ (outside your NAT firewall)
- You have been a victim of an email attachment virus attack, i.e. "I Love You", Kournakova, etc.
These programs can be a bit of a pain to get correctly configured, but when they reveal something going on in your network that you didn't know about, you'll be glad you installed them!
There are several different firewall software's out there; such as ZoneAlarm , McAfee Personal Firewall,and BlackIce Defender
. Zone Alarm Pro is my choice and ranked highest in the PC magazines that I have read.
. Zone Alarm Pro is my choice and ranked highest in the PC magazines that I have read.
Remember, you do have to configure and continually teach these firewalls the rules. You control what comes and what goes, or you get someone like me to come out and help you.
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
