regular updates firewall

[tali122]

my AV has regular updates and so does other security software that i have(spybot/adaware) but ive been told that a firewall(sygate in my case) doesnt get,or need, regular updates -just a newer version -because user has control over permissions- but surely newer suspicous files might sneak thru a firewall like in a out-dated AV?

[Mobius1]

This really depends on the features of your firewall, although I'm not an expert. For instance, Norton's Firewall program receives regular updates for it's active Internet worm blocking capabilities and it's "trusted" application list.

The former feature isn't present in all firewalls (nor is it actually a necessity to be safe from these threats for the most part). Additionally, many Firewalls rely on the user to determine which applications to "trust" or allow and so, again, do not need updating in this fashion.

For the most part, a Firewall keeps you safe by closing and "stealthing" the various data ports on your computer's connection that would otherwise be at risk from hackers and malicious software. This process is often passive and active whenever the firewall is activated, and since the number of ports on your connection always remains the same, the software does not have to be updated in the same way as an antivirus program. Hope that helps.

[OBonio]

A firewall doesn't block files.... it blocks ports. Updates to the software may be needed if there are bugs in it but other than that, if it's configured properly, a firewall doesn't need updating.