Firewalls

Firewalls – What Kind Of Wall?

Once upon a time, firewalls were the exclusive province of corporate PCs, designed to protect them from unauthorized access by competitors, disgruntled employees and others.  Those days are gone, however, and even though firewalls remain a staple of corporate computing they are making steady inroads in the world of the home computer as well.

There are many reasons for the changing role of firewalls, including falling prices, simpler designs and greater need.  The early firewalls were mainly hardware based devices, and they were quite costly as well.  When software based firewalls first came on the market, they were quite complicated to use and quite expensive as well.  These days, however, there are a number of very inexpensive, and even free, software based firewalls on the market.  As a matter of fact, firewalls have gotten so popular and easy to use that Microsoft included a free one in its Windows XP operating system.

There are many reasons why a home computer user would need to use a firewall.  For one thing, those who connect to their office network will need to have a firewall in place to prevent unauthorized access to the home PC and the corporate network.  In addition, those with high speed internet connections often find themselves the subject of unwanted attention by hackers, spyware writers and others.  A firewall can help block that unwanted traffic.

Why you need the protection of a firewall
The fact is that a computer which is unprotected by firewalls can be hacked in a matter of minutes, by any one of a number of automated hacker programs that roam the internet.  The only way you can be sure that your computer and the information it contains are safe is to protect it with a firewall. In many ways, running a computer full of personal information without the protection of a firewall is like leaving your car doors unlocked with the keys in the ignition.  It is just as easy for an internet thief to steal the information off of your computer as it is for a thief to steal your car.  As a matter of fact, stealing your computer information is probably a lot easier.

Just as you protect your car by locking the doors, you should lock down your computer with a reliable firewall.  A firewall program, in conjunction with anti virus software, anti spyware programs and other internet protection, helps to provide a secure and safe computing environment for yourself and your family.

It is important to download and install all necessary updates to your operating system prior to installing any type of firewall program.  It is a good idea to always keep Windows up to date, as there are always new security threats, and security flaws, being discovered.  Having your operating system up to date will give you a good base to go by.

Finding a trustworthy firewall
There are a number of excellent firewall programs on the market, and it is generally a good idea to try several before deciding which one to use.  Most firewalls provide a free trial period during which you can try the program, so take advantage of this option before you buy. 

Some firewalls will come packaged with other security oriented software, such as anti virus software or spyware elimination programs.  Other firewall programs are standalone products.  Which type you choose is more a matter of personal preference than anything else.  No matter what type of firewall you choose, however, it is important to configure it properly, according to the instructions provided.  A properly configured firewall, in conjunction with anti virus software and a good spyware elimination program, is the best way to protect your computer and the valuable data it contains.