| There are two types of firewalls: hardware firewall | | | | you no matter where whose network you're on. |
| and software firewall. A hardware firewall is a physical | | | | There is a fairly new type of firewall that is a |
| device that is located in between the internet/network | | | | hardware firewall, but it is designed to offer protection |
| connection and the computer/s on the network. A | | | | for only one computer. This firewall is in the form of a |
| software firewall is also known as a personal firewall. | | | | PCI card that is installed internally in an empty PCI slot |
| Software firewalls are installed on individual computers. | | | | on a computer. It also comes as a PC card for |
| Many people use a combination of both hardware and | | | | laptops, installing in an available PCMCIA slot. Firewall |
| software firewall, as each offers a unique blanket of | | | | cards were developed for business networks, and are |
| protection. | | | | designed to work with a firewall policy server to |
| If your home or business contains more than three | | | | provide tamper-proof, impenetrable protection for |
| computers that all share an internet connection, you | | | | office PC's and mobile users. |
| should be using a hardware firewall, as this device will | | | | Regardless of which type of firewall you choose - |
| protect the entire network. A hardware firewall acts | | | | hardware or software - one thing is for certain: If you |
| as a barrier between the internet and all the | | | | connect to the internet with your computer or laptop, |
| computers that share the internet connection, providing | | | | you MUST have firewall protection. Firewalls keep |
| protection from hackers, spyware, worms and | | | | intruders and malware out, and personal information in. |
| curiosity seekers. In most cases, a hardware firewall | | | | Not using a firewall, even if you don't think you have |
| for a network is more economical than purchasing | | | | anything of value to protect, is just asking for trouble! |
| software firewall software licenses for each computer | | | | More and more people are starting to use both a |
| on the network. Hardware firewalls vary in price, | | | | hardware firewall and a personal firewall due to the |
| depending on how many computers they are designed | | | | ever-increasing security risks associated with internet |
| to protect and the type of features included. | | | | use. This is a good idea for those who spend a lot of |
| Software firewalls are great for protecting individual | | | | time online, because each type of firewall offers a |
| computers. They are often referred to as "personal | | | | unique type of protection. Using both hardware and |
| firewalls", because they watch over all data entering | | | | software firewalls, you get the absolute best |
| and leaving the PC and also provide protection for | | | | protection from hackers, hidden spyware, viruses, and |
| personal information. A software firewall is a must for | | | | identity theft. |
| any laptop computer that is used on public networks | | | | A firewall should be your first line of defense when it |
| such as those you would find in airports, hotels, and | | | | comes to computer security, but by no means should it |
| coffee shops. Because the software firewall is | | | | be your only protection. Even with a good firewall, you |
| installed on the laptop itself, it is always safeguarding | | | | still need to use and antivirus and anti-spyware product. |