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Most everyone realizes that antivirus and firewalls are must-have protection. But what are they, why are they needed, and which ones are best?
What is a Firewall?
A firewall is a piece of software or hardware that helps screen out hackers, viruses, and worms that try to reach a computer over the Internet. If you are a home user or small-business user, using a firewall is the most effective and important first step you can take to help protect a computer.
Why is it needed? If a computer is not protected when connected to the Internet, hackers can gain access to personal information from a computer. They can install code on a computer that destroys files or causes malfunctions. They can also use a computer to cause problems on other home and business computers connected to the Internet. A firewall helps to screen out many kinds of malicious Internet traffic before it reaches your computer.
Some firewalls can also help to prevent other people from using a computer to attack other computers without your knowledge. Using a firewall is important no matter how you connect to the Internet—with a dial-up modem, cable modem, or digital subscriber line (DSL or ADSL).
Recommendation(s):
- SOFTWARE OPTION: Zonealarm Free Edition [LINK HERE]
- HAWDWARE OPTION: AlphaShield Firewall [LINK HERE]
What is Antivirus Software?
Viruses and spyware are two kinds of malicious software that you need to protect your computer from.
Why is it needed? You need antivirus technology to help prevent viruses, and it needs to be kept regularly updated.
Recommendation(s):
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