What is a Firewall?

A firewall is your computer's first line of defense against harmful attacks from the Internet. You should use firewall software to make your computer invisible to hackersA person who tries to access your computer and the personal information stored on it without permission. and to help protect it from destructive trojansA computer program that keeps its presence hidden from you and can allow a hacker to gain easy access to your computer system. and wormsA self-replicating, computer program that crawls from machine to machine across network connections..

Why do I need a Firewall?

With the convenience of a cable or DSL high-speed connection, many people leave their computers connected to the Internet all the time. Using a high-speed connection without a firewall leaves your computer open to attack. A firewall provides essential protection for your computer by locking intruders out.

For one of the best possible defenses against common online security threats, use anti-virus protection together with a firewall.