Applies to: Dial-Up & Broadband

Connecting to the internet without a firewall is a little like leaving the door to your house unlocked. The firewall places a ‘virtual security fence’ around your PC, then watches for any information that shouldn’t be entering or leaving your computer.

So what does all that mean?

Your computer has many doors – called ‘ports’ – through which information is sent and received. Everything from internet downloads to keystrokes from your keyboard enter your computer though one of these ports.

Certain functions, like web browsing and checking email, always happen through the same ports. So the firewall knows to keep a particularly close eye on these ports. If it notices anything suspicious, it will usually let you know.

Every time information tries to enter your computer, the firewall checks to see whether it’s information that you’ve requested or whether it’s some hacker trying to access your computer.

So working without a firewall shows hackers and virus distributors an open door. They can easily access your computer, corrupt your files, abuse your internet service and more.


How do I get a firewall?

The simplest and most common type of firewall is the software type, which runs on your computer like any other program.

You can purchase firewall software over the internet and from most computer stores. There are some free ones available on the internet but we recommend purchasing one if you can. Like most things, you get what you pay for – and the firewalls you buy usually offer regular free updates. Those companies can also afford to reinvest in their product’s development, so you get the best protection possible.

Some firewalls only act as gatekeepers to incoming data, but others like Trend Micro Internet Security 2008 or Pro guard both incoming and outgoing data, which gives you more robust defence.

(There is also a firewall built into Windows XP, as part of Service Pack 2 and Service Pack 3. For help with this firewall, use Windows Help or see the Microsoft web site).

Are firewalls hard to set up?

Not really. Firewalls from reputable vendors are generally easy to install and come with installation manuals. And you don’t need to configure any special settings for accessing the Internet.

Most firewalls will ask you to specify any programs that you want to allow internet access. You will need to list your web browser and email program, any chat programs you use, plus your Dial-up & Broadband Connection Client if you have one.

Firewalls are designed to make it hard for information to enter and leave your computer, so they can take some tweaking to get all your internet programs (like email and chat programs) working as they should. Allow time to install your firewall properly and be patient. The protection is worth it in the end!

How are firewalls different to AntiVirus?

AntiVirus software searches the files on your computer for known viruses, whereas a firewall tries to stop bad information (including viruses) from even getting to your computer.

In other words, a firewall can help stop viruses before they enter your computer, whereas AntiVirus software detects viruses that have already entered your computer (usually from sources like disks or emails, if you have a firewall guarding your internet ports).