Managed Home Network Security & Firewall Overview
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To start, we have to define what a firewall is, and of course, what it does: From Wikipedia's entry on Firewall (computing):
In computing, a firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. A firewall typically establishes a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external network, such as the Internet.
Firewalls are often categorized as either network firewalls or host-based firewalls. Network firewalls filter traffic between two or more networks and run on network hardware. Host-based firewalls run on host computers and control network traffic in and out of those machines.
This service includes an Application-Layer network firewall.
Now that you know what it is, and what it does, why do you need one? You've gotten along so far for so long with what Comcast, Cox, Verizon or AT&T is giving you.
This firewall provides network security that vastly increases peace of mind regarding the internet security of your home.
This device will be installed between your Internet modem and the rest of the network (anything hard wired or connected via Wi-Fi) (note; you'll need Rock Solid Wi-Fi system to make this happen, as you cannot use your modem's built-in Wi-Fi and have additional security at the same time). The way today’s home routers work is they allow something called UPnP – Universal Plug and Play. This means that a computer, camera, Smart-device, IoT device, etc., once connected to your network, can signal the router to open up a connection to allow traffic in. It was thought to be very helpful, back in the day before security troubles were all that. Now, we can stop that from happening. Any opening of connections will be deliberate through human interaction on the firewall.
This device also includes additional features such as:
- VPN – Provide secure remote access to the internet and your network while you are not at home.
- Web Filter – Premium web content filtering.
- Web Cache – Save time and money by caching frequently accessed items.
- Web Monitor – Know what is happening on your network
- Virus Blocker Lite – Block viruses and malware at the network edge
- Intrusion Prevention – Stop attackers from gaining access
- Ad Blocker – Block ads and make web browsing much more enjoyable.
The basic firewall is priced at $399, plus $199 for installation, and the yearly fee for updates is $50. If your internet connection speed is faster than 100mb, more robust hardware is available to maintain those speeds.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a firewall?
A: A firewall protects networked computers from intentional hostile intrusion that could compromise confidentiality or result in data corruption or denial of service. It is a hardware device. A firewall sits at the junction point or gateway between the two networks, usually a private network and a public network such as the Internet. The earliest firewalls were simply routers. The term firewall comes from the fact that by segmenting a network into different physical subnetworks, they limit the damage that can spread from one network to another just like a firedoor in a hotel or a firewall between a driver of a vehicle and the engine.
Q: What does a firewall do?
A: A firewall examines all traffic routed between the two networks to see if it meets certain criteria. If it does, it is routed between the networks, otherwise it is stopped. A firewall filters both inbound and outbound traffic. It can also manage public access to private networked resources such as host applications. It can be used to log all attempts to enter the private network and trigger alarms when hostile or unauthorized entry is attempted. Firewalls can filter packets based on their source and destination addresses and port numbers. Firewalls can also filter specific types of network traffic.
Q: What can't a firewall do?
A: A firewall cannot prevent individual users from bypassing the firewall altogether (this would require the user to connect their computer directly to the Internet Provider's modem). Misconduct or carelessness cannot be controlled by firewalls.
Q: Who needs a firewall?
A: Anyone who is responsible for a private network (your home) that is connected to a public network (the Internet) needs firewall protection. Many Internet users believe that anonymity will protect them. They feel that no malicious intruder would be motivated to break into their computer. Users who have been victims of malicious attacks, perhaps having to reinstall their operating system, know that this is not true. Irresponsible pranksters can use automated robots to scan random IP addresses and attack whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Q: How does a firewall work?
A: There are two access denial methodologies used by firewalls. A firewall may allow all traffic through unless it meets certain criteria, or it may deny all traffic unless it meets certain criteria. The type of criteria used to determine whether traffic should be allowed through varies from one type of firewall to another. Firewalls may be concerned with the type of traffic, or with source or destination addresses and ports. They may also use complex rule bases that analyze the application data to determine if the traffic should be allowed through.
Q: Is a firewall sufficient to secure my network or do I need anything else?
A: The firewall is an integral part of any security program, but it is not a security program in and of itself. Security involves data integrity (has it been modified?), service or application integrity (is the service available, and is it performing to spec?), data confidentiality (has anyone seen it?) and authentication (are they really who they say they are?). Firewalls only address the issues of data integrity, confidentiality and authentication of data that is behind the firewall. Any data that transits outside the firewall is subject to factors out of the control of the firewall. It is therefore necessary to have a well planned and strictly implemented security program that includes but is not limited to firewall protection.
Q: What are some Firewall related problems?
A: Firewalls introduce problems of their own. Information security involves constraints, and users don't like this. It reminds them that Bad Things can and do happen. Firewalls restrict access to certain services. The vendors of information technology are constantly telling us "anything, anywhere, any time", and we believe them naively. Of course they forget to tell us we need to log in and out, to memorize our 27 different passwords, not to write them down on a sticky note on our computer screen and so on.
Firewalls can also constitute a traffic bottleneck. They concentrate security in one spot, aggravating the single point of failure phenomenon. The alternatives however are either no Internet access, or no security, neither of which are usually acceptable.
Q: What are the benefits of a firewall?
A: Firewalls protect private local area networks from hostile intrusion from the Internet. Consequently, many home networks are now connected to the Internet where Internet connectivity would otherwise have been too great a risk.
Firewalls allow network administrators to offer access to specific types of Internet services to selected LAN users. This selectivity is an essential part of any information management program, and involves not only protecting private information assets, but also knowing who has access to what. Privileges can be granted according to a users' description and need rather than on an all-or-nothing basis.
Q: What other services do you offer that can make my technical life easier for me to manage?
A: We offer our Rock-Solid Wi-Fi plan, as well as our Home Computer Support Program.
