It’s no secret that we are more interconnected than ever. Almost all our devices can connect and share useful data through different applications.
Although this is positive and efficient for people, it’s also a good reminder of the importance of our privacy.
Staying safe online is a skill we must all develop, whether we want to or not. Hackers, phishing scams, and malware are constant threats that grow yearly. Relying solely on basic cybersecurity measures isn’t enough.
Developing a solid firewall strategy is a good option for those concerned with online safety. A firewall can act as our first line of defense, shielding our devices and protecting the data from cyberattacks.
But how do we go beyond the basics that we all know?
Let’s explore this together on TRWho.com and learn how to create a personal firewall strategy that keeps us safe in our digital presence.
3 Main tips for a personal firewall strategy
According to a report from Skybox Security, 30,000 new vulnerabilities were disclosed last year, a 17% year-to-year increase. If you want your digital life to remain safe, you need to approach your safety from several angles, addressing different vulnerabilities at the same time.
Here are a few suggestions to implement.
1. Upgrade your router security
There is a lot more to your router than just providing Wi-Fi. The most common features include such as:
- Network Address Translation (NAT): This is used to hide your devices from other networks that might be hacked.
- Built-In security software: Some routers offer additional defenses to your connection and can identify and eliminate more threats.
If you want to upgrade your security easily, look up your router and find out how to update its firmware. You can also enable guest networks so that your primary devices and those of your friends or acquaintances are separate.
2. Get a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Investing in a VPN isn’t a bad idea when you’re not connected from the comfort of your home. With this software, you can encrypt your internet traffic and mask your IP address to make it look like you’re working from another country.
The most important part of this is that if you have to connect to a public Wi-Fi network, you’ll be hidden from potential threats from these unsecured networks.
Whether you’re at a café or hotel, you’re better protected with a VPN. I use a VPN on my router, which lets me connect safely without configuring each device individually.
3. Strengthen program control
You can acquire a standalone firewall or a security suite that monitors the behavior of your applications on your system. These can:
- Approve the activity of trusted programs;
- Block known threats to devices like yours;
- Monitor and deal with unknown applications that have suspicious activity.
Advanced firewall features to consider
If you want to amp up your protection, you can get certain features that go beyond the capability of a standard firewall. Here are two of the most common ones.
Host Intrusion Prevention Systems (HIPS)
HIPS can monitor and block some attacks that target vulnerabilities in your operating system, or your software. They can even do so before security patches are available for your other cybersecurity tools.
Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)
IDS works alongside HIPS to detect unusual network activity, flagging and eliminating potential attacks. Together, they form a powerful barrier against more sophisticated threats, so if you have to work with confidential, important documents online, you should consider these for your protection protocol.
Who needs a personal firewall?
While many users are sufficiently protected with the built-in firewall in their devices, some situations can call for more advanced security measures:
- Tech enthusiasts: if you love tech and want to have more control over your device, a standalone firewall along with your built-in one can give you more freedom of choice and can monitor your network traffic more efficiently.
- Frequent travelers: if you travel around, you’ll need extra protection to connect safely to networks in hotels, cafes, and airports.
- High-risk users: If you have a job that requires you to handle sensitive or confidential data, you should invest in better cybersecurity tools so that your work is never at risk.
If you fall into one of these categories, consider complementing your existing setup with a free or premium third-party firewall or other security software like a VPN.
To sum up
You don’t have to abandon Windows Defender to be safe online, but you can improve your digital security by adding a personal firewall.
Our digital landscape is always evolving, but you can stay one step ahead cybercriminals if you invest in your safety today.
