From: "Rod Gasson" 

"Bob Lawrence" 
wrote in message
news:1084632499{at}p12.f610.n712.z3.ftn...

> as I found it, I erased it! The absolute *last* thing I want on my
> computer is a centralised source of all information. It worries me
> about Linux, too...

Linux doesn't have a registry, or any other centralised source of all
information.

> DD> Firewall Bob - and be careful what you download and/or attempt
> DD> to execute.
>
>  Why do you trust firewalls?

Because they work!

> It is *not* a fire wall; that's just a
> spinmeister name to make it sound good.

Hey, you can call it a dumbell if you like, but that doesn't change their
effectiveness.

> A computer firewall is just another program given access to the O/S.

A Linux firewall is actually an integral part of the O/S itself.  IE, the
firewall code doesn't run "on top" of the operating system (like windoze
based "solutions"), it is actually a PART of it.

> DD> Just as driving on the public street can be a risky business,
> DD> one can take measures to minimise destruction when out there
> DD> zooming around.
>
>  On the street, the only program taking precautions is you,

Yeah, just like 'you' should be the only person taking care of your own
firewall.

> and the
> accident-rate shows how many can't do that right.

And the virus infection rate shows how many people simply don't/can't set up
an effective firewall.  Your point is?

> On a PC, we rely on the PC itself to take the precautions.

That's your mistake.  A PC needs to be told what to do, or not to do. They
DON'T take precautions all by themselves.

Rgds
Rod


--- ifmail v.2.15