Intelligent network security device and method

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I claim: 1.
In a computer system connected to an external communications medium, a security device comprising: a programmable firewall device interposed between the computer system and the external communications medium; a controller device configured within the computer system such that said controller device can access all communications into and out of the computer system; and a communications device for communicating instructions from said controller device to said firewall device for controlling said firewall device; wherein said controller device examines communications incoming to the computer system to detect attempted security breaches; and the controller device continuously controls the firewall during the operation of the computer system to block communications between the computer system and the external communications medium when an attempted security breach is detected.
2.
The computer system of claim 1, wherein: the computer system is a local area network.
3.
The computer system of claim 1, wherein: the external communications medium is the internet.
4.
The computer system of claim 1, wherein: the computer system is a local area network operating as an Ethernet network.
5.
The computer system of claim 1, wherein: the controller device examines communications incoming to the computer system for code known to be associated with attempted security breaches.
6.
The computer system of claim 1, wherein: the controller device examines communications incoming to the computer system for patterns of activity indicative of attempted security breaches.
7.
The computer system of claim 1, wherein: the communications device is a serial data communications link.
8.
The computer system of claim 1, wherein: the controller assigns a value to a perceived attempted security breach; and the controller controls the firewall to block communications between the computer system and the external communications medium for a predetermined period according to the value assigned to the perceived attempted security breach