How To Choose A Fire Wall Software Program

In the real world a "fire wall" is a fireproof wall that is built
to stop the spread of fire from one part of a building to
others. In the Internet world a firewall has a similar purpose
in that it stops the spread of harmful viruses and attacks from
entering your home or office network.

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 some questions that you should consider before you
choose a fire wall for your PC:

1. What features do I need?

2. Do I want to be protected from viruses, Trojan horses and
worms?

3. Am I at risk because I use programs that access the Internet
automatically?

4. How much am I willing to spend on a firewall solution?

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. Most of them come with free trials
so you can test each one and choose what's best for you.
Although you won't have to be King Geek to install and set up
your firewall, there are some adjustments and settings that will
have to be tweaked. All of the better firewall programs come with
decent instructions and many of the products have help available
at their web site.

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.