What is a firewall?

If the owner of a computer connected to the Internet, does not know what a firewall and does not take any measures to protect the information it unnecessarily at risk.According to statistics, a computer with open ports (no firewall) is at risk of infection every 2-5 minutes.

The fact that there is a huge amount of different malware heard everything.A story about the potential dangers of one another worse.While focusing rays CRT monitor at one point or erase the BIOS chip for a long time in the past, giving way to a practical benefit for the creators of malware, however, during his stay on the Internet to protect data on the computer is necessary.

Before answering the question "What is a firewall", you must specify that antivirus and firewall - are two different things.Do not confuse these terms!Some viruses spread by an infected file is in a "clean" system.And it does not matter exactly who runs the infected program - the user or the operating system (Autorun).But others use the opportunity for the dissemination of the global network, without requiring a direct run.Obviously, if the program can recognize the first anti-virus protection, the network against infection, they are practically powerless.

To answer the question "What is a firewall", a simple example.A computer connected to the network - this is a house with many windows and doors.Some doors are intended for guests, as are right in the living room, the other - for cats and dogs and so forth. The same with windows, one has to be constantly ajar, as it is crossed by a thread, with the help of which the child is talking with a friend, neighbor, another opens periodically, and the third - blind.Obviously, keep them all "wide open" - is quite dangerous, because any thief can easily bring home anything.

Windows and doors in this example - a computer network ports.If you do not know what a firewall and has not set a corresponding program, all the ports are open.Through them, you can access information on a computer: just steal or infect the system with malicious code.Firewall is a special program covering the "extra" ports and allows flexibility to adjust work with the necessary.By analogy with the house - a guard, accurately determine where a visitor welcome, and where - no.The name comes from the English.Firewall (wall of fire).Sometimes there is the term firewall - a German synonym.Check the status of your computer ports may be on the Russian site 2ip.

A firewall is a part of Vindovs, but it is quite simple, so it is advisable to pay attention to specialty products.A lot of them, and everyone will find the best solution.

users who want to fully protect the information on your computer, it is necessary to try to take advantage of integrated software solutions.Usually in their title is the word «Security».For example, Kaspersky Internet Security, Comodo Internet Security, Norton Internet Security, and so forth. These programs combine high-quality anti-virus and firewall.However, many such decisions are subject to a fee.At the same time, there are both free firewalls and antivirus software.So, by setting, for example, anti-virus Avira Free (free) Comodo Firewall, you can organize reliable protection against malicious programs.All firewalls provide a variety of security features, so before the final choice to try selected "candidates".For example, a firewall, a part of Dr.Web, when trying to custom programs to access the network, displays a dialog box with options for action.This can be useful if a program is "no demand" wants to get online.