Configuring a Firewall

Windows XP includes it's own firewall, but it doesn't do anything unless it's on, so I started by checking its curent status.

First I clicked Start > Control Panel, and when the Control Panel opened I clicked Security Center.

This produced a message indicating that the firewall was currently OFF, so I clicked the Recommendations button to see what to do next.


This produced a Recommendation window which suggested that I should turn on the Windows Firewall.
I clicked the Enable Now button and the following window appeared, indicating that the Firewall was now turned on.

Finally, I clicked the Close button to finish configuring the Firewall.

Internet security suites

We looked at Internet security software today.

We were not allowed to install or change this software so we looked at some programs. We looked at McAfee Internet Security Suite 2007 and Norton Internet Security 2007.

My teacher explained the kind of stuff that should be included. It should protect you against hackers, viruses and spyware. Some programs also protect you against phishing. Some programs also provide backup software.

Both McAfee and Norton include protection against viruses, spyware, hackers and identity theft. Of the 2 programs I looked at I preferred McAfee because it seems to do more than Norton. It includes phishing protection and backup software than I don't think Norton does. They both cost exactly the same (£49.99).

Backup programs

Today I looked at software to copy my files. It's called "backup" software.

I didn't realise how important it is to backup my files. I don't copy the files on my home computer but I will now.

My teacher explained different ways to copy your files. We used a program called "Microsoft Backup" which copies files and makes them smaller. I can later copy them back to my computer if I accidentally delete them or have a problem with my computer which means that I don't lose my stuff.

Introduction

Hi,

I'm going to use this blog to produce my assessments for the SQA Internet Safety Unit. I'll post a new message every day or two as I complete the various tasks involved.

Copyright

We looked at copyright this morning. We talked about the copyright of stuff that you find online. We had an interesting discussion about music. I think that music is too expensive and that there is nothing wrong with copying music from download sites. But my teacher explained that this is illegal and takes money away from bands. She told me that downloading music from illegal websites is stealing their "intellectual property rights".

We were not allowed to download music. So we looked at various websites where you can download music. We looked at a site called MP3.com where you can download free music. My favourite was Napster where you have to pay for music but there is a big selection of songs. Napster is legal but my friends told the teacher that they sometimes use program like Limewire to get music without paying which is not legal.