Installation guide

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The list above is not exhaustive – it represents products reviewed up to now.
After you make your choice and install your firewall, refer to this tutorial’s checklist before you connect your
private network to the firewall.
If none of the solutions suggested here suit you, there are further firewall options below, listed according to
security requirements.
Low security need/low IT expertise
This type of medical practice would use a single means of connecting to the Internet (e.g. ADSL or dial-up).
Computers storing confidential information would not be connected directly or indirectly to the Internet. For
example, a single, non-networked computer is used for email, web browsing and all other Internet
transactions
Recommendation: embedded gateway device (modem plus firewall in one small dedicated box).
Reviewed products (in alphabetic order):
1 Billion products
2 D-Link products
3 Draytek products
4 Dynalink products
5 INEXQ products
6 Linksys products
7 Netcomm products
8 Netgear products
9 SMC products
10 Snapgear products
Why not just install firewall software on the Windows box (like ZoneAlarm or Norton Internet
Security)?
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. It is the same situation with firewalls – they can only be as
secure as the underlying operating system and the software running on that system. While there might not
be anything wrong with such firewall products in themselves, other programs running on your PC may
bypass or negate the firewall function. There is no point running a firewall application on a computer that
cannot itself be secured.
Considering that some of the router appliances listed here cost less than $A70 (street price), and already
include stateful packet inspection technology, it would be advisable to have at least one of them. Of course,
you can use your preferred firewall software on your Windows box as well if you wish.
Intermediate security needs/intermediate IT expertise
This type of medical practice would typically grant Internet access to all desktop computers. Doctors would
be able to browse the web and use email from the same computer they use for health records. Most
practices would fall into this category.
Recommendation: dedicated gateway computer with firewall and automated security updates or a firewall
appliance with customisation/upgrade features. If budget and expertise allow, you can also chose from the
‘high security need’ category (recommended).
Reviewed products with commercial support:
1 Gibraltar
2 SME Server and Gateway
3 SmoothWall
Reviewed embedded devices/firewall appliances: