If I'm connecting my network to the Internet why do I need a firewall?
Connecting your network to the Internet gives millions of people direct uncontrolled access to your company's computer systems and data. If you do not protect your network from unwanted intrusion, you are inviting an attack.
Every day computer users are developing, sharing, and stealing a vast array of new and more sophisticated tools that can be used to break into unprotected networks. Numerous companies have employed "low-cost" security methods such as
router or packet filtering. These methods do not eliminate the threat, and in most cases will not even slow down a dedicated hacker.
Not only do you have to protect your network from professional hackers, but also from the tens of thousands of computer hackers who are constantly exploring and probing unprotected computers on the Internet. Often, what starts out as
harmless exploration of a new system can end in disaster if the hacker, intentional or not, comes upon sensitive information, or otherwise compromises the integrity of your network.
The only true protection for your network comes from developing appropriate security policies and installing a professionally developed and configured firewall system.
How will a firewall protect my network?
A firewall is a computer system which runs a highly specialized software application dedicated to protecting your network from attack. The firewall creates a physical barrier that stands between your network and the Internet. Every
piece of data coming and going between your network and the Internet is scrutinized by the firewall. By default, the firewall blocks any movement of data onto or off your network. Only data from authenticated users, performing authorized tasks, are
allowed to pass through the firewall.
What features should I look for in a firewall?
The very nature of what a firewall does supports the axiom that "less is more". The very features that a firewall may include can compromise its integrity and therefore that of the network it is protecting. Firewalls should never
include applications such as World Wide Web servers, sendmail, or FTP, since the complex nature of theses applications makes it impossible to insure that they do not inadvertently provide insecure "backdoor" openings to your network.
The only features that should be included in a firewall are numerous options for the positive authentication of users, and methods for authorizing approved tasks. A good firewall will make the process of authentication and authorization
as transparent as possible to end-users, otherwise, the users themselves will seek to defeat the firewall.
Why should I choose PORTUS as my firewall?
When selecting a firewall you want the product that will offer the best protection for your network and data. Of all the firewall products available, none offers better protection than PORTUS.
PORTUS was designed for a single purpose, security. Unlike many other firewalls that offer lots of "features", PORTUS' sole purpose is to protect your network from attack. PORTUS does not run application programs,
and it replaces necessary, but insecure, services like sendmail with secured versions. The only features that are added to PORTUS are enhancements to its ability to protect your network.
Along with protecting networks from intruders, PORTUS' designers recognized that a firewall needs to provide authorized users with seamless access to Internet resources. That is why PORTUS supports SOCKS and proxy-based access for
all major Internet services. PORTUS is the only firewall that provides proxy services for products such as Lotus Notes, X-Windows, and secure inbound FTP access.
| Proven Technology | Easy to Install & Administer | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PORTUS is a third-generation firewall designed to conform to the highest standards for a mission-critical application. | Designed with the systems administrator in mind. Extensive logging, security alerts, on-line help. | |||
| Strong Authentication | Controlled Access | |||
| PORTUS supports multiple concurrent strong authentication methods including CRYPTOCard and SecureNet. | PORTUS allows you to manage user access to Internet services to conform to your site security policy. | |||
