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Firewall links
If you need other security software as well as a firewall, Internet security suites include firewall, antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-spam and parental-control components. See the ConsumerSearch report on
The National Cyber Security Alliance offers tips for online security.
It can be confusing when a firewall asks permission to let a program on your computer access the Internet. Windows has many tasks running in the background whose names are not likely to be familiar. You can look up information about such tasks to find out if they are good guys or invaders at AnswersThatWork.com.
WindowsSecrets.com has an article on firewalls that includes tips on checking your computer's security.
ComputerWorld.com offers an article on the Windows Vista firewall, including a discussion of some of its weaknesses.
PCStats.com offers a beginners' guide to firewalls and Internet security for those wanting to learn the basics, including firewalls.
This web page has information on personal firewall software for the Mac OS.
Tech-FAQ.com has information on free firewalls for Linux users, as well as links to sites where they can be downloaded.
You can test your system's security at any of these sites:
SecuritySpace.com (a basic audit or a single test is free)
HackerWhacker (the first test is free)
PCMag.com has a weekly online newsletter called Security Watch.
HowStuffWorks.com explains "How Firewalls Work".
A frequently asked questions page for Internet firewalls is maintained at Interhack.net.
Information regarding the dispute that led to Comodo Internet Security being dropped from Softpedia.com can be found at the Softpedia.com website and in the discussion forums hosted by Comodo.
Vicomsoft offers a comprehensive explanation of what firewalls do and how they work called "Firewall Q&A."
You can get more information about specific firewalls at publishers' websites:
Agnitum (Outpost)
DoorStop (Mac)
IPNetSentry (Mac)
Netbarrier (Mac)
