Naked on the Net - Do You Use a Personal Firewall to Protect Your Home Systems? Guthrie OK

Posted by : Maggie Biggs

Firewalls, like nearly all security-related technologies, come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and price ranges. You can certainly purchase a hardware-based firewall for a few hundred dollars. A hardware firewall is a small device that you place between your Internet connection and your home computers. It is usually good to go this route if you have the budget or have several computers-often the case for people who maintain a home office. The hardware-based firewall will block unauthorized attempts to access your computers.

Another route to consider is replacing the piece of hardware that connects your home computers to your DSL or cable modem connection. Most newer connection devices (e.g., routers) used in always-on connections now come with built-in firewalls. For example, DLink Systems offers several devices for DSL and Cable Modem connections that include built-in firewall technology. Prices range from $80 to around $120.

However, for most home computer users, it is not necessary to go out and spend $100 or more to protect your systems. If you're budget minded you can still protect your home computers by installing and maintaining a personal firewall (along with antivirus software, of course).

A personal firewall is a piece of software that blocks unauthorized access to your systems.

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