Internet Firewall Tests
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If you're like us and want to maintain topnotch security for your computer at all times, you might want to check whether your firewall can overcome whatever threats or vulnerabilities that may be thrown at it. Here's a look into internet firewall testing.
What are internet firewall tests?
Internet firewall tests are programs that communicate with your computer to see particularly how your firewall responds to the "situations" posed by these tests.
What do these firewall tests do?
There are several elements that can be measured or determined with an internet firewall tester. Likewise, several methodologies are used to find out how your firewall will fare. These elements and methods may be combined into one test, or may be present in separate flavors of tests; check the description of the test you choose to run to be sure.
Port Scanning
Simple tests scan commonly used ports in communicating with the rest of the Internet while advanced tests scan all the ports that are available in your computer, usually up to 65,535 ports. Some tests provide options for selecting a specific port or a range of port numbers to inspect. Why is port scanning important? Vulnerable ports can be used by intruders to communicate with your computer and let them do as they please with it—make it crash, damage files, extract sensitive information etc.
Trojan Test/Leak Test/Intrusion Test/Exploit Test
Leak tests check whether your firewall can handle real-life Trojan or DOS (denial of service) attacks by simulating how these situations come about. Techniques include not only attempts to break into the computer but also communications and intrusions from malicious programs already inside the computer.
Other Tests
Some firewall testing sites provide additional and related checks such as popup blocking and anti-spyware tests.
Firewall Test Shortlist
- Auditmypc Firewall Test
- Auditmypc Port Search
- Firewall Leak Tester
- GRC LeakTest
- GRC Shields UP!
- PC Flank
- McAfee HackerWatch
- DSLReports.com SecureMe
- SecuritySpace Vulnerability Tests for Firewalls
- Firewall Web Firewall Tests Listing
- Symantec Security Check (Sygate)
Why do I need to test my internet firewall?
There are many reasons why you would want to test your firewall, but the most important of them is to simply check whether the product you've bought or downloaded for free actually works, works well, and performs what it claims it can do. There are thousands upon thousands of possible threats [link] that computers and users must face each day once they are connected to the Internet or some other network; it is quite difficult to be prepared for all of them just by second-guessing safety measures. These firewall tests also reveal the possible advantages and disadvantages your running firewall has.
How safe are these tests? Shouldn't I be worried about intrusions with these programs too?
You are right to be worried about taking these tests as it is yet another activity or should we say opportunity for an external host to gather information about your own computer. As with everything else on software and the Internet, it is best to research first before signing up to take a test. One good tip in determining spyware can be applied to firewall tests as well: suspicious software will be all over you, often on site advertisements, asking them to download their product.
What if my internet firewall fails a test?
Don't panic just yet. With the number of firewall tests out there, your firewall is likely to fail at least one of them, especially the long, thorough ones. Maybe you've tweaked your internet firewall a bit to be a little more lenient to your Internet surfing habits, or your firewall was set to be that way without having to modify it. Check where your firewall fails and why; follow instructions how to fix it, if possible.
If you're not in too much a hurry, try out several tests to see the "bigger picture" of your computer's security.
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