"So, What are they?"          
 
   A FIREWALL is Hardware and/or software designed to keep unauthorized outsiders from tampering with your computer system or network. It blocks outside users from getting into your computer, much like physical walls that prevent fires from spreading from one area to another.

   A firewall program is different from a virus protection program which only screens for computer viruses. A Personal Firewall is a software program effective in protecting stand alone computers. 

                                   "How Do They Work?"
 
   They filter the information coming through your internet connection into your computer system or private network.

   If this information contains stuff that the filters judge to be suspicious, (based on rules established by the Firewall software manufacturer or restrictions that you can set as the user), they reject it and  keep it from passing through to you.

   There are both hardware and software Firewalls. The hardware version is a physical device located between your computer and your Internet connection. It is an obstruction to unauthorized incoming information and is often referred to as a Firewall/Router. (It routes the accepted incoming signals to your computer).

   The software firewall is a program installed on your PC. Software versions are less expensive than the hardware type, and in many cases are available for free or for demo trial periods. The Software types are often called 'Personal Firewalls'.

   They are installed on your PC and allow you to control communications to and from the PC. You can set the rules or security policy to allow or deny  communication and to protect you from any number of Internet hazards, like these:

Remote login - Allows someone to connect to your computer and control it, look at your files and run programs.

Backdoors - Programs and even operating systems have special features that allow for remote access. Others contain bugs that provide a backdoor that allows some level of control of the program.

SMTP hijacking - Taking over your mail list and using your computer to send out spam.

The installation of a software firewall on individual computers is a necessary accessory to the hardware Firewall/Router. That may seem excessive, but the Hardware and Software versions each have different strengths and weaknesses and provide slightly different security features. Sometimes the hardware Firewall/Router you buy has a software firewall built in as well.    Window XP users should consider up grading their firewall protection from the Window XP Service Pack 2's firewall.

   If you have a DSL or broadband cable connection, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may have given you a DSL/Cable router with a firewall built in. Usually, all you have to do is read the manual and turn it on. 

   If your ISP did not give you a DSL or Cable broadband router with a built in firewall you can buy one. They are relatively inexpensive.

   If you have DSL, buy a DSL router. If you have Cable broadband ISP get a Cable Router. Most of the popular router brands have built in firewalls and a feature called NAT, Network Address Translation. This hides your real IP address from the Internet.
 

It's Vitally Important to keep your Firewall Program and all of your other Defensive Software programs, as well as your Operating System, Up-To-Date.  You'll find more information throughout this website to help you choose a firewall and accomplish this Goal.

Sunbelt Personal Firewall CLICK HERE

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This is a family oriented web site and here's a quote from among    comments by our site visitors:   "A great example of a reference source which provides a lot of disparate articles dealing with isolated topics, yet which leaves the visitor in no doubt that more is required, is Richard Rossbauer’s “Firewalls-and-virus-protection” site. You could not visit that site, read an article on, say, virus protection, and be under any misapprehension that virus prevention was a complete “cure”. That’s the sort of site I am happy to endorse because it offers a genuine, ongoing and constantly updated education" ...Bill Hely, Author "The Hacker's Nightmare ™" How to keep hackers, worms & other germs out of your PC"             Read Bill's BLOG at     http://hackersnightmare.blogspot.com/

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