Figure 10-10
Expanded network
schematic showing the
addition of the router
and connection of up to
four computers
DSL Modem Router
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Project 11
Configuring
Firewall
Protection for
Your Network
What You??™ll Need
Setup from Project 10
Your computer and web browser
Cost: $0
With a broadband connection and a combination firewall/router, you have
all you need to really enjoy the Internet and keep yourself from being
hacked??”that is, anything from having your personal information stolen,
your computer abused as an unwitting virus- or spam-spreading robot, or simply infected
and rendered nearly useless.
Think of a firewall as an Internet doorman??”what you want to view across the Internet
is openly available to you, and you may come and go as you please. Anyone or anything
on the Internet that wants or needs to get to your computer is hopefully stopped
cold at the doorway??”allowed to get in only if you give ???the nod??? to the doorman.
Firewalls work in mysteriously wonderful ways, detecting potentially bad traffic
trying to get into your network, with some even blocking known bad traffic trying to
get out. Sometimes a firewall can work too well for what you want to do. For example,
a firewall might block Internet phone calls that you want to accept, reject remote control
from people you ask to help support you with computer problems, stop you from
accessing your office network through VPN, or prevent you from using a webcam.
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