Why
do you need a firewall?
Without a working firewall when you are connected to
the Internet, there is a greater chance that hackers
could gain access to personal information stored on your
computer.
It is possible also that they could install code or instructions
on your computer to destroys files or causes computer
malfunctions. Your computer could also be used, without
your knowledge, to cause problems elsewhere on home and
business computers connected to the Internet.
A firewall
helps to block many types of harmful Internet traffic
before it reaches your system.
What a firewall does not do!
A firewall does not offer you protection against viruses, spam or spyware. You will need to ensure that you also have adequate security software in place and that you keep your software updated. You will find information about virus protection by using the links to the left of this page.
Installing and configuring a firewall is the first step in PC security for homes and small businesses. But please remember - for a firewall to be effective it must be enabled, along with anti-virus software, before you go online. |
