After you ensure your passwords are strong and known only to you, you need to ensure your router is properly configured. I discussed these steps in my two previous posts of this series. In this article, we will talk about firewalls, what they are, where and how to use them.
As I have said before, Internet security should be implemented in layers. No one layer offers sufficient protection. Another layer you should always use is a firewall. A firewall is a guard at the door between two networks. It decides who and what goes through the door in both directions. If you have a door connecting your private network or computer with the Internet, you NEED a good door guard!
I will not try and describe how they work in detail. I began to, then realized after typing three paragraphs, that most people don't need to understand the detail and, there is way too much of it! Technical types can argue about the nuances and exceptions to my explanation, but for most people, it is enough to understand firewalls at a basic level.
As I have said before, Internet security should be implemented in layers. No one layer offers sufficient protection. Another layer you should always use is a firewall. A firewall is a guard at the door between two networks. It decides who and what goes through the door in both directions. If you have a door connecting your private network or computer with the Internet, you NEED a good door guard!
I will not try and describe how they work in detail. I began to, then realized after typing three paragraphs, that most people don't need to understand the detail and, there is way too much of it! Technical types can argue about the nuances and exceptions to my explanation, but for most people, it is enough to understand firewalls at a basic level.