>Let's say, for the point of demonstration (and what's usually the case),
>that the network consists of one box hooked to a broadband connection.
>This box is the user's primary computer, used for everything, including the
>software firewall.
>
>A software firewall running on this box has, by definition, *already*
>failed its basic "raison d'�tre," if you will.  It can't block any traffic
>from getting to the box it's supposed to protect simply because *IT IS
>RUNNING ON THAT BOX*.  In order to detect any of the traffic, it *has* to
>let it through, thus compromising the box.

This here is not actually true. DoorStop hacks itself into Open Transport's TCP stack 
and sits between OT and the networking software. When a packet comes in over the TCP 
network, DoorStop looks at it and either passes it on or drops it to the floor. The 
networking software never notices the difference. I used this stuff to share files 
over IP with a guest account while I was at school, but only to people on campus. 
Worked like a charm, when I nmap'ed it from off campus, it showed the port closed, but 
from where it was allowed, it showed the port open.

software firewalls aren't totally junk, but unless you have a specific NEED for them, 
I don't believe in firewalls at all.

-Tyler

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