subject: Defending Your Computer Against Security Threats [print this page] A networked laptop or computer or one connected to the Internet has greater chances of becoming a target of dangerous activities that can destroy data. More than just wipe out some of your data, such attacks can fully clean up your hard drive or make your laptop or computer unbootable. You can defend your laptop or computer from such hazardous assaults. The most valuable step that you can make is to install antivirus firewall software.
Both antivirus protection and firewall defense can be achieved through a two-in-one antivirus firewall software suite. It is also possible to install two distinct programs: one antivirus program and one firewall program. However, it is decidedly much more uncomplicated and comfortable to just install antivirus firewall software that bundles both kinds of defense.
Antivirus software and firewall software are significant to your computer's security. Each one has completely different methods of keeping your computer safe from damage. It is hazardous to consider that you may replace one for the other. The two are simply different, even though they both provide protection to your computer system. Thus, never operate your laptop or computer without having stand-alone antivirus and firewall programs, or an all-in-one antivirus firewall software suite.
You can only fully grasp the very important value of antivirus firewall software programs if you understood how your laptop or computer can be attacked. This requires you to appreciate the nature of computer viruses and how firewalls work.
Computer viruses are just like other programs produced by humans. Their file sizes can vary. The majority viruses are as small as some kilobytes, some are as huge as a few megabytes. The behavior of computer viruses and human viruses are very analogous. The only occasion that a virus can destruct is when it makes its way into the host or target. Once the virus has infiltrated your computer, it will implement the directions that it was made to execute. Computer viruses typically have two instructions to follow: destroy and spread. Almost all computer viruses are crafted to ruin computer data files. This can result in corruption of your data or in impairing your programs or operating system. Computer viruses also seem to have an intelligence of their own. They are created to self-reproduce and distribute copies of itself to other computer systems. Being on a network or connecting to the Internet undoubtedly helps make the spreading of viruses easier and speedier.
To protect your laptop or computer from viruses, you need an antivirus program. An antivirus program should be able to sense viruses that are already within your computer or as soon as they penetrate your personal computer through various means such as downloaded files and email attachments. Your antivirus program will warn you immediately after it detects a virus. It will also give you options for protecting against infection. Many antivirus programs can allow you to fix, remove, or quarantine an infected file. An antivirus firewall software can easily guard your laptop or computer from virus infection, not to mention give additional firewall protection.
In contrast, a firewall program is similar to a security guard that prevents dangerous or unwanted connections to be made to your computer. Since hostile or invasive assaults can take place via your computer's ports, a firewall program monitors these connection points. Two defensive measures are set in place by a firewall program: close unneeded ports and "listen" to active or opened ports. The second it notices something suspicious occurring in a port, the firewall program tells you and will often advise actions for responding to the situation. So that you will have constant protection, you should install an antivirus firewall software package and make sure it is always on.
Unless you want unauthorized people to access or harm your very important documents, you ought to employ protective measures to keep your personal computer protected. Installing antivirus firewall software is one particular protective measure.
