Is a Firewall Necessary for Dial Up Internet Access?

Internet security is becoming increasingly necessary. Security software manufacturers offer anti-virus, spy-ware and firewall protection. Many broadband Internet users have firewall protection, or even multi-layered firewall protection. If you have not made the broadband leap yet, you might be wondering if your dial up Internet needs firewall protection.

Firewall Description

The very name firewall gives insight to how this security feature helps to protect your program. Like its namesake, firewall security's design keeps the "bad" from spreading in this case, malicious intent. There are two basic types of firewalls for the average Internet user. Packet filtering (dynamic or static) scans the incoming information for acceptance or rejection based on a defined set of rules. Application, or proxy firewall, utilizes a proxy server to channel and monitor all Internet traffic through. Both are effective at reducing the risk of harm to your system and information.

Firewall Uses

Both large business systems and personal computers utilize firewalls. The job of the firewall is to help prevent hackers from accessing or attacking the system. The attacks might be maliciously intended or merely a nuisance to the system owner. Either way it is unauthorized access to your computer and possibly your personal information. These composers of viruses, Trojan horses, and worms are creating problems that are more complex and firewall security is ever changing to keep up with the constant need.

Dial Up Difference

Dial-up Internet varies from broadband Internet in a variety of ways. The most noticeable is speed. With top modem rates of 56 Kbps, dial-up access is only 5% of what some of the lowest broadband speeds. With dial-up access, your Internet protocol (IP) address changes every time you dial in for connection. An IP address is your computers numerical address. Broadband connections are always on while dial-up only opens access once dialed in. Dial-up's cost is significantly less than broadband.

Benefits

Firewall protection would give your system an added layer of security. Your personal information, as well as your equipment, would have another level of protection against unwanted invasion. Hackers' attempts and the malicious programs they write both get more insidious every year. You can put a deadbolt on a door that has a lock already; the same is true of Internet security.

Considerations

Most of the reasons firewalls are so necessary on broadband connections are the same reasons that a dial-up connection is more inherently safe from it. There is no constant connection to the Internet and the IP changes with every connection making it harder for hackers to locate and access the system. Additionally, a firewall is not the only level of protection your computer should have. Viruses can come from downloaded files and malicious websites or emails. Anti-virus and spy-ware protection is very important as well.

References

• Computer Science
• Cisco