subject: Why You Need a Firewall [print this page] Why You Need a Firewall Why You Need a Firewall
If you own a computer that will be connecting to the internet, you need a firewall. This is doubly true if you are conducting business on your computer and over the web. Think of a firewall as a barrier between the data on your computer and the outside world, it is kind of like locking the door on your home, office or vehicle. Even if you have spyware trackers, anti-viruses and keep your computer up to date, someone could still access your information.
How?
The question of what people could steal from your computer has many answers as does how this can occur, but here are a few of the ways that someone could access your system.
Password Stealing
Your password is like your fingerprint on the internet, it allows you access to all of your accounts. Hackers who get your password can wreak havoc on your life and business. These individuals have three basic methods of obtaining your password, guessing, brute force and cracking. Cracking is the most effective method as the hijacker seeks out your saved passwords on your computer via highly technical tools. A firewall can prevent them from being able to access these files and better yet from knowing which sites you have accounts with in the first place.
Crashing or Freezing Your System
In some cases, a hacker or hijacker has no interest in stealing your information they simply want to cause you as much misery as possible. Do not think for a minute that you are safe from this kind of attack if you have no enemies because malicious people often do not care who they hurt as long as they hurt someone. Through a DOS, denial of service attack they can freeze your entire system to the point that servers, computers and networks go down. Not only could you lose a lot of money but your business reputation as well.
Data Loss
It has not been that long ago that some very sensitive information was stolen from corporations. Personal information had been taken by hackers having a good time. Imagine what could happen to your business if your customer list, sensitive business plans or trade secrets were available for the entire world to see. This is not a pretty picture; in fact, this is every business person's worst nightmare.
Conclusion
There are many ways that hackers can access your information. They are skilled at getting past your defenses and causing a great deal of damage. Today's computers have firewalls that come with the operating system; however, that is not always enough. For this reason, many people are turning to software programs such as Zone Alarm to keep their information and networks protected.
You see even if a hacker fails to get any information from your system they can still hijack your network and send out viruses, Trojans and other malicious software and when it is traced guess who it is coming back to? The same is true of people who are involved in other illegal activity. They will access your net for all their wrong doings leaving you to explain to the police how you are not involved in a plot to blow up a building! When it comes to your computer, whether it is for personal use or business you can never be too cautious.
