FIREWALL PROTECTS COMPUTERS

With Internet threats on the rise, it’s best to be safe than sorry

Most of us think that an anti-virus program is enough protection for our computers. But that’s far from sufficient. The most effective way to protect your computer is to install a firewall. A firewall is software (or in some cases hardware) that protects your computer or network from unauthorised outside intrusion. It acts like a barrier and stops unauthorised access. It monitors and scans all the information that comes through the Internet, and allows only those programs to access the Internet, which you have asked it to.

 

With malicious intrusions on the rise, anyone with access to the Net needs a firewall. Research has shown that a computer that doesn’t have a firewall installed can be compromised within a matter of minutes.

 

A firewall detects and stops any unauthorised programs from being installed on your computer. Some anti-virus programs may sometimes fail to detect Trojans or spyware, which a firewall can often stop. With the increase of malicious attacks, this kind of protection becomes absolutely imperative. 

 

If you don’t have a firewall installed on your machine, don’t worry. Windows XP and Vista come with built-in firewalls that you just need to switch on. All you need to do is go to the Control Panel and click on the Windows Firewall icon and select the On radio button. If you do not have XP or Vista on your computer, there are free firewalls can be downloaded from the Net easily. Before you download, be sure to read credible reviews so you know what’s up ahead.

 

A firewall can be personalised to suit your needs. It is designed to be suspicious of all programs. If it senses a program wants to connect to the Net, a pop-up comes up to alert you. You can either answer Yes or No, depending on whether you want the program to connect to the Net or not.

 

Remember, if you are unfamiliar with the program, it’s safer to select "No." It’s best to spend some time exploring the firewall’s features and setting permissions for various programs. This ensures that alerts don’t pop up every now and then while you work on your computer.