Firewalls are among three basic security programs that should be installed on your computer. Everyone has heard about it but very few people actually understand what it is, what it does and how it can be installed. If you are among these people, then read this article so you'll know how you benefit from your firewall.
Firewall: It's Definition
A firewall does what its name implies it to do: it blocks off unwanted and unsolicited intruder attacks as well as hackers from getting inside your computer. Hackers and identity theft criminals lure the virtual world and they search for vulnerable computer who don't have firewalls enabled by sending out packets of data known as "pings." This works like randomly dialing a phone number. Computers who "pick up the phone" or responds by sending out packets of data are immediate targets.
Do I have to enable/install a firewall?
As soon as you connect online, you are immediately connected to the World Wide Web which in turn, creates exposes you to the multitude of computer hackers who prowl the internet for potential victims. If you use a dial up connection, then you can simply turn on your Windows firewall and you're all set to go. With dial up connection, your IP address changes whenever you dial up for connection which then makes it hard for hackers to find your computer when you log on the next time. Broadband or DSL does not use a dialer to connect online. However, broadband providers are now using a dynamic IP addressing protocol which means that even if your computer is connected online 24/7, you are not much at risk because with the dynamic IP addressing protocol, your IP address changes every couple of hours.
Just because you do not save your credit card number or any other private information in your computer does not mean that you will never be at risk. Hacker attacks does more than just access your computer and your files, they can also infect your computer with viruses, worms and other malicious software that can seriously damage your computer. They can make a "zombie" out of your computer which means that your computer will do most of their bidding and you will not even realize it.
How to Install Firewall Programs?
Firewalls are often included in your operating system so all you have to do is turn it on or have it enabled. There are also firewall programs that you can buy online for a certain amount of fee. Firewalls run on the background of your computer and it monitors every application that is running especially those that connect online. When it detects a particular program trying to access the internet, it can either block it or allow it, either way you can specify which programs can go online and which cannot.
If you are serious about protecting yourself against identity theft, then you should also be serious about installing or getting a firewall program for your computer.
Tina L. Douglas is a well established author on the topic of identity theft.
For more advice and information on identity protection, just click on the link.
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