Your Firewall: How Does It Work?
Author: Lawrence Heller

The term firewall may not be new to you, but if asked why you
need it and exactly how it works, very few of us will be able
to provide an accurate answer. A firewall protects your
computer and the files you are working on from unwanted users
and programs, while you are logged on to the Internet.

Unprotected files may be attacked by hackers who, with the use
of harmful codes and programs, gains access to your personal
information and may go as far as stealing your identity and
using your credit card information for his/her personal
interest. So, what exactly does a firewall do?

A firewall brings an end to theft and also hinders potentially
harmful programs from infecting other files. This explains the
name of such a program too. Its work is akin to that of a
firewall that checks the spread of fire from one area to the
other.

A firewall makes a hacker's invasion into your computer system
futile because the latter can never access your passwords or
your credit card information. The firewall software installed
in your computer permits only useful data but bars all
seemingly harmful data from accessing your system.

Good or safe data is what you get when you are visiting web
sites and downloading photos or data files. Harmful data, on
the other hand, is anything that keeps a close watch on what
you do on the Internet without your knowledge. A typical
example is the hacker program. Such programs are blocked by the
firewall quite effectively.

With the enabling of computer firewall protection, anything
that enters and leaves your computer is regulated. This is one
way of preventing spyware and adware from attacking your
computer network. Also, deadly programs on the Internet can be
left out with the use of firewalls.

Laymen often believe that the anti-virus software installed in
their computer allows protection against hackers too. The
anti-virus should always be updated to check the presence of
viruses but it hardly shields your computer against attacks by
hackers.

No matter what type of connection you have, be it dial-up,
cable, broadband or DSL, your computer is at risk every time
you connect to the Internet. Hackers are always on the lookout
to harm you and steal your identity.

A firewall protection is probably the most effective way to
keep your personal information and identity away from the dirty
hands of hackers.

I hope this article has given you a preliminary but a fair idea
of what firewall protection is all about. Since you are in the
know now, it will make you a more informed and educated
Internet user.


About The Author: Lawrence Heller is a network specialist and
author. See more of his articles at
http://www.securefirewall.info