If you're running Mac OS X ...
Open System Preferences.
Click on the Sharing icon.
Click on the Firewall tab.
Click the Start button.
This turns on the personal firewall at the client computer.
A firewall at the network is also useful to block access to network-
reachable computers and peripherals connected to your network, but
for networks with no other devices other than a computer and a
printer attached they don't do much of any consequence. If you have
several computers on the network and/or have them configured to share
files or allow remote operations, then a network firewall is
essential to security.
Most important if running a wireless network is to turn on encryption
in the wireless base station. If you don't, you are broadcasting any
information you transmit across the network connection as clear text
that can be captured by anyone with a receiver and an application
that can capture network packets.
Godfrey
On May 12, 2006, at 8:45 AM, graywolf wrote:
Well if you are running Windows XP Pro SP2 you go into the Control
Panel, select Security Center, click Windows Firewall at the bottom
of the panel, then click On.
If not you spend some money.
However most wireless routers have a firewall option built in also,
which is what I am running right now because it firewalls the whole
network.
Shel Belinkoff wrote:
It's been suggested that I install a fire wall, but I don't really
know
what one is or how they work. So, what's a fire wall, how does it
work,
what are the pros and cons of using one, and where can I get one?
Shel