Why Firewall?

Many people I have spoken to in the past about security on their computers have asked me about the same question; If I have anti-virus software on my computer, why should I even bother getting a firewall?  It isn't that tough of a question to answer.  Yes, you should use an anti-virus software, but what good is it without a firewall?  Without a firewall, your computer is just setting out there on the Internet saying; here I am come and get me.  You need that firewall!

Let's tackle a quick question here.  What is a firewall?  A firewall is what it sounds like.  It is a wall, but it isn't made of fire.  It is a device, albeit a hardware or software device, that sets on a computer or network and prevents or blocks information from entering or leaving it (Whitman & Mattord, 2010).  There are many types of firewalls out there on the market, but it would take too much time to discuss them all here so I am just going to stick with the basics.

                                                (Smart PC Support, 2012)

Take a look at the above picture.  This gives a general idea of what a firewall does.  The Earth is pictured here as the Internet.  There is a wall (firewall) and then your computer behind it.  A firewall has rules or in this case bricks that define how it is to react to certain information.  If the information trying to get in has been deemed inappropriate or unwanted by your computer, it will deflect it and keep it out (red arrows).  If the information coming in is wanted, it will get through (green arrow).  

OK, now that you understand what a firewall does, can you see why you need it?  An anti-virus tool can only set behind that firewall.  It waits to see if anything does get through that is not allowed and then it takes care of it.  Without a firewall, all information will get in.  There is no wall.  There is no deflection.  It doesn't take me long to describe this to my friends and family that ask why they really need a firewall.  Without it, your computer will let everything in.  Do you want that?  I don't think so!  

I'm not going to go into detail about what kind of firewall you should get because chances are if you have an anti-virus software, you might just have that firewall.  Most firewalls now a days come bundled with an anti-virus software.  Check the case that you got your anti-virus software in and see.  If it does not, then I do advise to buy one preferably from the same manufacturer of your anti-virus software.  Just go to their site and find a way to get it because you need it.  

If you want more information on firewalls and to get an idea of what product to pick up, you can go to think I provide here: http://personal-firewall-software-review.toptenreviews.com/.  This is packed with more information and an interactive graph that will allow you to choose what ratings you want to see.  Just click on the Firewall Performance link.  Check it out and get that firewall!

References

Smart PC Support (2012).  Image borrowed from their site @ http://www.smartpcsupport.net/firewall.html

Whitman M. & Mattord, H. (2010). Management of Information Security. Boston, MA: Course Technology, Cengage Learning.