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Do you need a Firewall ? Zone Labs tell us !

Connecting to the Internet is like opening a door to your computer. Through that door, you can easily go online to shop, read the latest news, send e-mail, and more. But an open door also allows hackers to easily gain access to your PC.

Once inside, hackers can steal your valuable personal data, such as bank account numbers and passwords. Your PC can be used without your knowledge to launch attacks on other computers, even on entire networks. A hacker can render your computer useless—to everyone except the hacker.

To protect yourself from hacker attacks, you need a PC firewall. In effect, a PC firewall shuts your computer's door to hackers, allowing only authorized traffic to flow through. Antivirus software protects you from known viruses and can help clean up after a virus attack. But only a PC firewall can block unauthorized access to your Internet-connected computer and protect against both known and unknown malicious software and Internet threats. At the same time, a PC firewall allows your computer complete, unrestricted access to the Internet.

What does a basic PC firewall do ?

In a building, a firewall is a fireproof wall that acts as a barrier between one part of a building and another. The firewall's goal: to prevent a fire from spreading.

Similarly, a basic PC firewall acts as a barrier between your PC and the Internet. The PC firewall's goal: to prevent Internet threats from spreading to your computer.

Working in the background, a basic PC firewall monitors the traffic flowing through your computer's open door to the Internet. When anything seems suspicious, such as a request by an unknown source to connect to your PC, a basic PC firewall automatically identifies and blocks it.

A basic PC firewall not only prevents unauthorized access to your PC or network, it also hides your Internet-connected PC from view. And that helps prevent attempted intrusions in the first place.

What does a basic PC firewall not do ?

A basic PC firewall can't detect or remove computer viruses and worms if they're already on your computer. And a basic PC firewall can't clean up your computer after a virus attack; block phishing e-mails, spam, and pop-up ads; filter inappropriate or dangerous Web content; or shield IM users from spammers, thieves, and predators.

For complete protection beyond what a basic PC firewall provides, you need an integrated Internet security suite. For more information, see Why Choose ZoneAlarm.

Are there PC firewalls that offer more advanced protection than basic PC firewalls ?

Yes. Some PC firewalls offer security features that go beyond basic firewalls:

• Dynamic firewalls.

A basic PC firewall keeps your computer's door open to the Internet while monitoring the flow of traffic through that door. But a dynamic PC firewall automatically opens your computer's door to the Internet when needed, allows only authorized traffic through, then immediately shuts the door. As a result, a dynamic PC firewall, such as ZoneAlarm, provides more protection than a basic PC firewall.

• Outbound and inbound protection.

Many basic PC firewalls only protect your PC from unauthorized inbound communications. But some PC firewalls, such as ZoneAlarm, protect your PC from unauthorized inbound as well as outbound communications.

Suppose a hacker tries to install software on your PC that can capture your bank account information and transmit the data to the hacker. The attempted software installation would be an unauthorized inbound communication. The transmission of your private data to the hacker would be an unauthorized outbound communication.

A basic PC firewall might not catch a hacker's every attempt to access your PC. Should the hacker succeed, your bank account information could then be transmitted to the hacker—unless your PC firewall was capable of automatically blocking unauthorized outbound communications.

For more advanced protection, you should consider a dynamic PC firewall that provides both outbound and inbound protection.

If I use a dial-up Internet connection, do I still need a PC firewall ?

Yes. Regardless of the type of Internet connection you use—dial-up, DSL, cable, or wireless—a PC firewall is your essential foundation of defense against hackers.

Dial-up Internet connections are often made from phone lines also used for conversation or faxing. As a result, a dial-up connection is ordinarily left running only as long as it's needed, giving potential hackers less opportunity to gain access to your computer. Even so, as long as your computer is connected to the Internet, the door is open to hackers. The bottom line: Dial-up Internet users need a PC firewall, too.

Those with a dedicated Internet connection, such as a DSL line or cable modem, are even more vulnerable to security breaches. These users are more likely to leave their connection running whenever their computer is on. And the longer a computer's door is open, the more accessible the PC is to hackers.

If my home network router has a built-in firewall, why do I need a PC firewall ?

Most home network routers include a built-in hardware firewall that monitors and blocks inbound communications at the network level.

By comparison, a PC firewall can monitor and block both inbound and outbound communications at the PC level. For the most complete protection, a PC firewall should be installed on every computer on a network.

Combined, a router's firewall and a PC firewall provide multiple layers of protection that a router firewall couldn't provide by itself.

And unlike your home network router, a PC firewall can easily go where your computer goes. Only a PC firewall can protect your Internet-connected computer on the road.

If my computer has Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP 2)—which includes a PC firewall—why do I need another PC firewall ?

Microsoft's recent upgrade to its Windows XP operating system, Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), only provides protection against unauthorized inbound communications. For protection against unauthorized outbound communications you'd need a more robust PC firewall solution such as ZoneAlarm. (For more information about unauthorized outbound and inbound communications, see "Are there PC firewalls that offer more advanced protection than basic PC firewalls?" above.)

All ZoneAlarm products (5.1 or higher) are compatible with XP SP2 and automatically integrate with Windows Security Center. So you can download and install ZoneAlarm without worrying that it will interfere with your PC's operating system. For more information about using ZoneAlarm products with XP SP2, visit our Windows XP SP2 Info Center.