Anti-virus isn't the only protection your computer needs. If you don't have a Firewall, you're leaving all your files and sensitive information vulnerable. Therefore its important to get one. To help explain this, let me use a simple analogy.
If anti-virus software's the border patrol checking to see what's allowed in, a firewall's the border fence stopping all the bad stuff coming in in the first place.
Got a router?
Thankfully most of us use a router to connect to the web nowadays rather than just a modem. I say thankfully because routers have built-in firewalls which deal with incoming connections before they hit your PC, and outgoing connections before they hit the web after leaving your machine. Ensure yours is turned on and set to a high enough level of security. Consult the manual or search online for the make and model number if you don't know how to check.
Whilst you're there, check your router password has been changed from its default; you'd be surprised at how many connections are hacked simply because the password hasn't been changed. Spend a little time and get your settings right here, as router firewalls afford a higher level of protection than software ones.
Windows Firewall.
Windows XP and Vista have a firewall built-in, which should be sufficient for most people (especially those who've already got router firewalls), though do make sure it's switched on and your copy of Windows is up to date. The firewall can be set on low, medium & high levels of protection.
If you have the Windows firewall set on a high level of protection, it's likely you'll need to spend some time tweaking its settings in Control Panel to stop it becoming a nuisance. By default, it'll stop you downloading files over MSN messenger, and it'll block a whole load of programs which download from the web.
titleernative Free Firewall Software.
If you want better protection, are having problems with Microsoft's firewall, or just want more flexibility, consider these free firewalls too:
- Sunbelt Personal Firewall.
Formerly known as Kerio firewall, Sunbelt Personal is actually a commercial product, but after its 30-day trial you only lose its pop-up blocker (and chances are you've got one already, see below). Even though it'll nag you to register intermittently, it's widely credited as being one of the least irritating firewall products.
- Comodo Personal Firewall.
It's totally free to use but you will need to register and activate the licence by e-mail within 30 days of installation. Whilst Comodo usually outperforms the Sunbelt firewall in tests, it's a fair bit more intrusive than the latter. Tech support is available via email, but not by phone.
- ZoneAlarm Free Firewall.
While it's received mixed reviews, there's no doubt that ZoneAlarm's free firewall is a capable tool. A built in wizard makes it simple to configure even with no knowledge of how firewalls work, and the control panel's pretty straightforward too.
This information was sourced from here:
moneysavingexpert.com |
