Firewall security method and apparatus

A firewall security device comprising:

• a memory for storing a plurality of firewall security routines, the plurality of firewall security routines defining at least one security requirement;
• a connector for connecting the firewall security device to a user terminal;
• and
• a processor for applying at least one firewall security routine to a plurality of packets transmitted through the firewall security device and determining whether particular ones of the plurality of packets are in compliance with the at least one security requirement.

A firewall security device for use with a computer having a communications port, the firewall security device comprising:

• a memory for storing a firewall security application program, the firewall security application program containing a plurality of firewall security routines which define at least one level of security;
• a connector for connecting the firewall security device to the communications port of the computer;
• and
• a processor for executing the firewall security application program and determining whether a plurality of packets transmitted to the computer from a public network are in compliance with the level of security, the plurality of packets being transmitted through the firewall security device prior to any further processing by the computer.

A dongle for providing a client-based firewall, the dongle comprising:

• a memory for storing a plurality of firewall security routines, the plurality of firewall security routines defining at least one security level;
• a connector for connecting the dongle to a client computer;
• and
• a processor for applying at least one firewall security routine to a plurality of packets transmitted through the dongle and determining whether particular ones of the plurality of packets are in compliance with the at least one security level.

A client-based firewall system comprising:

• a computer having at least one communications port;
• a firewall security dongle connected to the at least one communications port, the firewall security dongle including:
• a memory for storing a plurality of firewall security routines, the plurality of firewall security routines defining at least one security level;
• a processor for applying at least one firewall security routine to a data communications stream transmitted through the firewall security dongle and determining whether the data communications stream complies with the security level.

A method for providing a client-based firewall, the method comprising:

• receiving, in a firewall security dongle, a transmission of a communications stream, the firewall security dongle including a plurality of network security routines and being connected to a communications port of a particular client computer of a plurality of client computers in a private network;
• applying at least one network security routine to the communications stream;
• and
• determining whether the communications stream complies with a level of security defined by the at least one network security routine.

A computer network security method, the method comprising the steps of:

• connecting a security device to at least one computer of a plurality of computers being interconnected within a private network, the security device including at least one set of security routines which define at least one network security level;
• transmitting a plurality of packets received by the at least one computer through the security device connected thereto;
• and
• determining if the plurality of packets transmitted through the security device comply with the network security level.