Have you heard all the talk about firewalls and how important they are to your virtual security, but you still don't completely understand what all the fuss is about? Read on for the reasons your computer needs a firewall and see how easy it is to make your computer more secure.
What is a firewall?
A firewall is a device or software program that limits access to all of your computer's ports. With a firewall you can specify exactly which programs can access the Internet and which ports you want to leave open. What is a port? I will give a nontechnical definition. A port is an opening in your computer (not in the physical sense) to the Internet and other networks. Most programs have a specific port that they reserve. The basic goal of a firewall is to control, like a gate, what data can come in and what data can go out.
Why Should I have a firewall?
If you want to have a secure computer that does not have trojans and spyware, you will want to have a firewall. A firewall can help prevent spyware as it will notify you if a program tries to access the Internet. If you find some unknown program trying to access the Internet you can run a virus scan and a spyware scan and the issue will be solved.
Firewalls also prevent the bad guys from scanning your computer for open ports for software programs that they can exploit. If you only leave the ports open for your web browser and your email software, you will have much less of a chance of being attacked.
It is imperative for laptops to have a firewall. If the laptop visits many different wireless networks there is no telling what kind of nonsense could be present on them. Many laptops automatically connect to any available wireless network, and a properly installed firewall will not allow random computers access to your computer and its data.
How do I get a firewall?
Luckily there are excellent choices for free firewalls with the best being, in my opinion, Zone Alarm. While Zone Alarm has a Pro version which offers more features, the free version works just fine for most users.
Realted Link: Zone Alarm Download
Zone Alarm is easy to setup and allows for simple blocking of suspect programs. When a program tries to access the Internet, Zone Alarm gives you a choice of blocking or letting the program go on its merry way. Unless it is a trusted program, always block the connection to the Internet. Trusted programs would include your web browser, email client, games you play online, etc.
Windows XP Service Pack 2 has a firewall enabled by default, but it is not nearly as robust as Zone Alarm. Windows Vista is rumored to have a much better firewall but until then you should use Zone Alarm or a comparable product.
Conclusion
Firewalls are integral part of modern Internet security and you will be left exposed without one. You can install a firewall for free and it really does not affect your computer's performance or usability. There is no reason not to have a firewall in today's insecure Internet environment.
More Questions about Firewalls?
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