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Windows OneCare: Why’s The Firewall Coming Down?
John Stith
Staff Writer
2006-01-18
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Microsoft's blog dedicated to Windows One Care recently began working on the question of why people take down their firewalls. Some interesting results turned up and most of them were a bit silly.
 | | Why's the Firewall Coming Down? |  |
The top four reasons were:
1. Do not think a software firewall is necessary
2. Do not like the (sometimes incessant) pop-up dialogs
3. An application failed to install with firewall turned on
4. An application fails to work with firewall turned on
While we understand the rationale for each of these, let me quickly explain why the first three should not be reasons you keep your firewall off. For the first, if you do not have a software firewall enabled on your computer you are likely vulnerable. Some people believe they are sufficiently protected with a hardware firewall - these are often built in to a hub or wireless router. While hardware firewalls are certainly helpful, it is a well-known principle in computer security that software firewalls provide an essential layer of protection; you should not feel comfortable performing normal PC and network-related activities (email, IM, web surfing, etc.) without one. So, if you turned off the firewall because you thought it was unnecessary, please (please!) turn it back on.
He goes on covering other thoughts about the reasons people gave for turning off the firewall. And he's right. People may give various reasons, but the havoc caused on someone's computer really isn't a good reason for the somewhat more convenient side of turning off the firewall.
In the end, people are responsible for their own Internet security. There are lots of things people can do to improve their security. Things like not opening strange emails or attachments. Don't go to a lot of strange websites. And don't turn off the firewall and other protections. With all the identity fraud and malware issues, this is one way to help keep one's PC safe.
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About the Author:
John is a staff writer for SecurityProNews covering cyber security.
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