Since we can't expect even the most security-aware users to be able to (or even want to) disable unnecessary services, patch regularly, and monitor usage, a firewall plays an important role in protecting your computers and networks. It's wrong to think that a firewall will protect you from everything, though. In order to do anything useful on the Internet, you have to open up holes in your firewall and those holes leave you vulnerable.

What are your future plans? Any exciting new projects?

I don't know about exciting, but I've started my MBA. That's going to take up all my free time for the next few years. In the future, I hope to move into security management. Maybe someday CSO's will get respect.


What is your vision for firewalls in the future?

When it comes to personal firewalls, I suspect they're going to have become as easy to use as anti-virus software. I think the average user would rather let someone else worry about keeping their computer secure by updating rules and signatures. Of course, there will always be some of us who want to control their own systems, so there will always be options like iptables.