This book will walk readers through the basics such as determining the need for a firewall and testing current security. Other chapters will demonstrate and explain: how to tighten security, choose a high-speed Internet connection, install a personal firewall, and test new security.

Jerry Lee Ford, Jr. is an author, instructor, and a security analyst with over 13 years of experience in the information technology field. He holds a Masters in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia and has over five years of teaching experience in information technology. Jerry is a Microsoft-certified Systems Engineer and has authored six other books, including Practical Microsoft Windows Peer Networking. He lives in Richmond, Virginia with his wife, Mary, and their sons, Alexander and William.

Introduction. I. INTRODUCING PERSONAL FIREWALLS. 1. Why Do You Need a Personal Firewall? The New Age of High-Speed Internet Access Protecting Yourself with a Personal Firewall. The Typical Internet Connection. Who Are Hackers Anyway? What Do They Want from You? 2. High-Speed Internet Connections Equal Increased Vulnerability. Selecting a High-Speed Connection: Cable Versus DSL. Cable and DSL Modems. Setting Up Your Cable or DSL Connection. Pre-Installation Tasks. NIC Installation. Installing the Software Driver. 3. Firewalls Explained. Understanding Personal Firewalls. Networking Overview. Understanding How Firewalls Operate. Firewall Functions. Firewall Classifications. II. TIGHTENING YOUR SECURITY. 4. Locking Down Windows Networking. An Overview of Microsoft Networking. Improving Your Security. Why You Should Still Get a Personal Firewall. 5. Hardware Firewalls. Hardware Firewalls. The BEFSR41 EtherFast Cable/DSL Router. Installing the Hardware Firewall. Configuration via the Web Browser. Other Cable/DSL Router Functions. Using the Linksys BEFSR41 EtherFast Cable/DSL Router As a Personal Firewall. Other Cable/DSL Routers. 6. McAfee Personal Firewall. Overview of McAfee. System Requirements. Installation and Setup. Working with the Configuration Wizard. Normal Operation. Working with Report Logs. Limitations. Testing the McAfee Personal Firewall. 7. BlackICE Defender. Overview. System Requirements. Installation and Setup. Configuring BlackICE Defender. Keeping BlackICE Defender's Defenses Up to Date. Normal Operation. BlackICE Defender's Limitations. Testing the BlackICE Defender Personal Firewall. 8. ZoneAlarm. Overview. System Requirements. Installation and Setup. Getting Started with ZoneAlarm. Working with ZoneAlarm. Working with the ZoneAlarm Desk Band Toolbar. ZoneAlarm's Alerts and Log File. Working with ZoneAlarm Alerts. ZoneAlarm's Limitations. Testing Your Zone Labs Personal Firewall. 9. How Secure Is Your Computer? Testing Your Vulnerability to Internet Hackers. Testing with Your Personal Firewall Up and Running. Testing Security from the Inside Out. A Final Analysis. 10. Habits of Security-Conscious Surfers. Updating Your Personal Firewall. Keeping Your Microsoft Operating System Up-to-Date. Keeping Your Operating System Locked Down Tight. Using Antivirus Software. Beware Cookies. Backing Up Your Data. Be Vigilant and Test Often. 11. Home Networks and Internet Connection Sharing. What Is a Home Network? Putting Your Network Together. Network Software Configuration. Network Administration. Connecting Your Home Network to the Internet. Tightening Things Up with a Second Line of Firewalls. Microsoft's Internet Connection Sharing. Securing Home Networks with NetBEUI. Appendix A. Other Firewall Products. Aladdin Knowledge Systems eSafe Desktop 3.0. Norton Personal Firewall 2001. PGP Desktop Security 7.0. Symantec Desktop Firewall 2.0. Sygate Personal Firewall. ConSeal PC Firewall. Tiny Personal Firewall. Appendix B. Other Web Sites That Will Test Your Security. HackerWhacker. Gibson Research Corporation. Secure Design. Sygate Online Services. Symantec. McAfee. HackYourself.com. Glossary. Index.