• What is firewall and do I have one?

If you have been using the Internet for any length of time, and especially if you work at a larger company and browse the Web while you are at work, you have probably heard the term firewall used. For example, you often hear people in companies say things like, "I can't use that site because they won't let it through the firewall."

It turns out that a small home network has many of the same security issues that a large corporate network does. You can use a firewall to protect your home network and family from offensive Web sites and potential hackers.

A firewall is simply a program or hardware device that filters the information coming through the Internet connection into your private network or computer system. If an incoming packet of information is flagged by the filters, it is not allowed through.

All computers with an updated Windows XP, Vista or Windows7 operating system will have a rudimentary firewall installed. It is sufficient in most cases as long as the computer is kept malware and virus free. However, once infected, the firewall in these systems becomes quite porus.

An off the shelf home router will also give you some firewall protection most are configurable to increase or decrease the firewall setting as needed. The operating systems within the router are for the most part immune to malicious attack by virus, malware and spyware.

Below is a link to an interesting security based site called Audit My PC. Check it out and find out just how secure your computer and home network are.