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HelpPersonal Firewall FAQ
What is a personal firewall?
A personal firewall is a software program that will guard your computer from being accessed by unauthorized users while it is connected to the Internet. Personal firewalls are designed specifically for home computers or laptops - not UCSF work stations.
Why should I use a personal firewall?
A personal firewall prevents unauthorized users, such as hackers, from accessing your personal computer while you are connected to the Internet.
How does a personal firewall protect my computer?
A personal firewall isolates your computer from the rest of the Internet. It does this by inspecting each packet of data sent to your computer to determine if it should be allowed to get to your machine.
Are there any drawbacks to using a personal firewall?
Although personal firewalls are an invaluable information security resource, there are some attacks that personal firewalls cannot protect against, such as viruses or interception of email. For optimal protection against the variety of security threats that exist, personal firewalls should be used in conjunction with other security measures such as anti-virus software and encryption packages.
What should I consider when I select a personal firewall?
- Ease of installation and configuration
- Whether the firewall requires you to do something every time you run it
- If there are parameters that have to be set, is the process complicated
- Availability of online help or technical support
- Whether the firewall provides audit reports identifying time, location and type of attack (should an attack occur)
- Whether the personal firewall program offers updates on a regular basis, keeping you up to date with the latest preventive measures
Where can I get a personal firewall?
The following is a partial list of available personal firewalls:
- Black Ice (PC)
- Zone Alarm (PC)
- Norton Personal Firewall (PC)
- McAfee Personal Firewall (PC)
- Open Door (Macintosh)
For a more detailed list of personal firewalls, conduct a search at one of the following websites:
How can I test my personal firewall?
To test your personal firewall, go to www.grc.com and request a probe. You will be provided with a report of exactly what vulnerabilities were found on your computer and what you can do to eliminate them.
If I have questions, whom should I contact?
For additional information please contact OAAIS Enterprise Information Security via email at security@ucsf.edu or contact OAAIS Customer Support.