When the Windows 7 Firewall is compared with the Windows XP’s Firewall you will see the flexibility and advanced features introduced with the Windows 7. The newly introduced features such as inbound and outbound rules can be individually configured and the Connection Security Rules can be configured with the help of a Wizard. The wizard has complete list of option to make a rule so tight and secure.

But ever since the Windows 7 grabbed the attention of home users for its stability and user friendly features, for them to manage and administer the windows firewall will become uneasy. So the remaining option will be either to turn off or on the Windows Firewall.

But using tools like Windows Firewall Control makes things easier to manage the rules and helps to harden the Windows Firewall’s security with the help of various levels. These levels are High, Medium and Low. This tiny tool will run along with your Windows 7 operating systems and stays in system tray for ready at your command.

On the advanced option on this tool will let you Import/Export firewall rules back and forth. Finally the tool comes free!

I recommend this tool for those who are confused of the Windows firewall features but still need to have the best control over it. Because using the level of security the rules can be easily administered so you can forget turning off the firewall.

Download it from here

OpenDNS is a best free widely used service which can be very well implemented and effectively used for a faster and safer network better reliable when Web security and content filtering matters. Other than providing a free service, OpenDNS is providing a premium service for an enterprise customer which adds extra features like 24/7 phone and email support with SLA, flexible administration, audit log and ad-free block pages.

The features of OpenDNS are ;

Security Concerns Open DNS provides

• Web Content Filtering
• PhishTank Anti-Phishing
• Malware Site Protection / Botnet Protection
• Whitelist / Blacklist

DNS Infrastructure

• Globally Distributed Network
• Anycast Routing Technology

Customized Reports

• Detailed Charts and Stats
• Daily  Email Reports
• Archived Stats and Logs

Intelligent Navigation

• SmartCache
• OpenDNS  Search Assistance
• Short Url
• Typo Correction

Interface Customization

• NXDOMAIN Customization
• Block Pages Customization
• Custom Logo / Custom Message

But why should you consider for your network?

1. Securing network from malicious web content.
2. Better bandwidth consumption using the web content filtering.
3. No hardware device required.
4. SmartCache provides more reliable and faster internet experience.
5. Instant implementation.
6. Administration and management is easy from a web-based account.

How to implement Open DNS in your network?

The best practice of configuring the OpenDNS ip address is on the device which is assigned to lease the ip address for the network. It could be a router or even a DHCP server.

OpenDNS IP Address

208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220

Once you are signup for an account you will be getting access to a dashboard were you can configure your openDNS for your networks.

On the settings tab you can add multiple networks and select them to administer it.

Pre-Defined Filters

Once network is added click on the Ip address to view more advanced features. It gives you options to select a pre- defined web filter rules and feature to allow or block a website in your network.

Creating Custom Webfilter

The customized web filters are very convenient according to your business.

Security Features

Its very easy to implement  in a network. Try it and let us know about it.

Open DNS is a best free widely used service which can be very well implemented and effectively used for a faster and safer network better reliable when Web security and content filtering matters.

Other than providing a free service Open DNS is providing a premium service for an enterprise customer which adds extra features like 24/7 phone and email support with SLA, flexible administration, audit log and ad-free block pages.

One more free service from Symantec for a safer internet browsing Norton DNS. It offers Protection and faster internet surfing experience for any Internet connected device

We already know that there are services OpenDns and Google Public DNS are available in market but what makes this NortonDNS special?
The Symantec spokesperson explained “The Norton DNS service works by filtering the DNS requests that are automatically created when you visit a Web page to determine if they are associated with fraud, spyware, malware or objectionable content such as pornography or violence.”

NortonDNS will help you from DNS cache poisoning attacks; means a hacker or attacker can redirect your web surfing to any site he wants for instance you are trying to access www.hackstacks.com but you will be reaching to a malware website. The hacker will change the DNS records in any vulnerable DNS servers that will redirect all your traffic according to the hacker’s DNS servers.There are two ways you can change the DNS settings for your device either using the manual method or using a setup file. The setup file is likely to be announced in June.

Dns configuration

To configure the Norton DNS in your network change your DNS settings to: 198.153.192.1 & 198.153.194.1

In a home network it is best to configure it on the Internet router

http://www.hackerwatch.org/probe/