How To Keep Your Computer Safe

Step 6: Use a Firewall

A firewall is a set of programs that protect your computer by blocking unauthorized access to your home computer network. They can be used to protect your computer from hackers, or to protect your family from offensive Websites; they also give you another line of defense against viruses.

Using a firewall is especially important if you have a broadband connection (such as cable) and if you leave your computer connected to the Internet all the time. There are malicious programs that can detect open connections on your computer through the Internet and exploit them; there are also malicious people (known as “crackers”) who try to penetrate unprotected personal computers. If a cracker finds your unprotected computer, he may use it to launch attacks on the Web (such as spreading spam or clogging a website). Not only is your computer being used without your knowledge or permission, but it can also slow down your computer’s performance or Internet access.  

How to do it:

1. Windows XP (the newest version of the Windows operating system) has a built-in firewall. To watch a video about how to enable this firewall, go to: http://security.getnetwise.org/tools/firewallxp-instruct.
   1. To activate the Internet Connection Firewall, double click on My Network Places and click the View Network Connections link listed under the Network Tasks heading.
   2. Right click your network or Internet connection from the resulting list. Choose Properties from the pop-up menu.
   3. When the connection’s Properties dialog box appears on-screen, select its Advanced tab and click next to Protect My Computer And Network By Limiting or Preventing Access To This Computer From The Internet.
   4. Click OK to complete the process.
       
2. Another popular – and free – firewall is ZoneAlarm from Zone Labs (http://www.zonelabs.com). ZoneAlarm is a good system because it monitors outgoing communication as well as incoming communication – which means it can notify you when spyware or adware has been installed on your system and is attempting to transmit information out from your computer. ZoneAlarm also has a paid version available, which gives you more options. Other options include McAfee Personal Firewall Plus (www.mcafee.com) and Norton Personal Firewall (www.symantec.com).
    
3. In addition to the software firewall, you should consider a hardware firewall. Hardware firewalls are incredibly secure and not very expensive. Home versions that include a router, firewall, and Ethernet hub for broadband connections can be found for less than $100. This set-up would protect all the computers within your house that share an Internet connection. Some recommended products are: D-Link (www.dlink.com), Linksys (www.linksys.com) and Netgear (www.netgear.com).
    
4. Regardless of which products you choose, again, be sure to regularly update the software.
    
5. Don’t develop a false sense of security just because you have a firewall. Firewalls can’t stop you from unwittingly installing spyware on your computer – be sure to follow all the above tips and be a savvy computer user.

Go to the next step.

Last Updated: 6 January 2005