Firewall Question

Is it better to set programs to Full Access or Out Bound Access? Example, I am using Opera and I set it to Out Bound Access only , now is that preventing the browser from getting updates or anything usefull? Also, could you guys give good examples on what should be out bound only or full access ? Thanks for any info that you provide.

 

Presumably, Full Access means that nothing is blocked at your router. Basically, any Joe Schmuck on the 'net can ping, ftp, web, or whatever access your public address, and your firewall will not block it. Outbound only means that there must be a corresponding outbound packet sequence ID to match any inbound packet sequence IDs: if there's a mismatch, or your router/firewall doesn't know the ID coming in, it discards the packet. "Outbound Only" does not mean that you won't be able to access your email, or browse the web, or whatever: it only means that you router must be able to match inbound traffic with traffic that originated on your machine.