System Scan Information - FireWall Summary

What is a FireWall?

A FireWall acts as a security barrier between computer networks.  It's more common usage in relation to the internet is that it acts as a barrier between your computer and the internet.

Such a firewall is designed to allow or disallow access between your PC and the internet. Firewalls can do this by filtering based generally on:

• Which programs are permitted to access the internet.
• Inspection of the data being sent.
• 'Hiding' your PC from the internet ('invisible').

In another manner, firewalls can deter intruders by confusing IP addresses via proxy servers and network address translation (NAT), which may be considered hardware related firewalls.  This page discusses mainly software firewalls.

A firewall is generally recommended if you access networks from your PC (eg: you connect to the internet).  It is another tool that helps prevent malware and malicious activity from occurring on your computer.

Amongst other benefits, the firewall can help deter and prevent hackers from accessing your system, and can help prevent certain malware from sending information to it's destination (eg: can help prevent spyware from sending logged keystrokes, that may contain passwords) to third parties.

Software FireWalls are available both as an integrated component of a system security software program, or as a separate piece of software for your network security.  Windows released a simple firewall with XP, however many prefer the advanced features that can be found in dedicated security software.

We believe that integration is best since some security software doesn't always play well with other security software and can cause problems.

An integrated security suite is PC Tools Internet Security 2009 which contains a firewall component which also has a stealth mode.  It's security features include MalWare, Virus, SpyWare, AdWare, SPAM and most of it's core features are available for free.

As always we advise to use caution when connecting with the internet.  Be wary of how you use your PC on the internet, which sites you visit and software that you use. Try to avoid Malware, SpyWare, AdWare, Viruses and SPAM.