Fire Wall software
Because of the ever-increasing threats that are appearing on the
Internet you no longer have to be in business to need the
protection of a fire wall.
In fact, every computer that is connected to the internet should
have one installed. You'll be a lot happier once you know that
you have protected your personal files, information, and
financial data, such as credit cards and bank account numbers,
from being shared with every crook on the internet.
Here are the common features that are available in almost any
software-based fire wall program:
Inbound filtering - protects unknown users or programs
from accessing your PC
Outbound filtering - Protects your PC from sending
information to the Internet without your permission
Application integrity verification - Verifies that any
program you are running aren't sneaking around behind your back
and doing things that they shouldn't be doing.
Data encryption - Automatically scrambles any sensitive
data that you do allow to be transmitted.
Stealth mode - Hides that fact that your PC is even
connected to the Internet so that hackers can't see you.
Pop-up ad blocking - Stops those annoying ads.
Cookie blocking - prevents web sites from sending you
cookies without your permission Spyware protection - Blocks
dangerous spyware from operating on your PC
There are many software-based firewall programs that can be
downloaded from the internet. Windows XP SP2 has one as standard
but most of the others come with free trials so you can test
each one and choose what's best for you.
If you notice that some program that used to work stops working
after you install a fire wall then you'll have to make a change
in the fire wall's configuration that will enable the program to
operate freely. If you find that there is no way to let your
previously operating program pass through the firewall then that
might be a good indication that you need to try a different fire
wall. Be sure to check with the makers of both the software
program and the firewall before you give up and change
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