Introduction

The word 'Firewall' comes from the thick metal sheet in cars used to protect the driver and passengers from an engine fire.

In computer terms, a firewall is software or hardware that protect your computer or network from unwanted traffic as well as from intruders and hackers.

A few years ago, firewalls were used mainly to protect corporate networks and government agencies computers from outsiders. Back then, those were the main targets for intrusion.

Today every computer with Internet access is a target including home computers. Why has the trend reached a personal level? There are many reasons, but mainly because information is gold and hackers know it well. The more information they have, the more money they can generate. If a hacker gains access to your computer, they can read your emails, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, passwords, personal information and much much more. Using this arsenal along with you full name, they can literally bankrupt you in minutes!

You can protect yourself from most intrusions by using a firewall.