Ready to Surf the Internet?

You have just bought or built a new pc or even just reformatted the Hard Drive on an older pc. you have the Operating System installed, and an ISP established, so now you are ready to explore the internet.

What is wrong with this scenario?

Two pieces of software that every pc should have installed are:
1. A Firewall
2. A good anti virus Program

What is a firewall? A Firewall is an electronic blocking mechanism that will not allow unauthorized intruders into a computer system. A computer firewall is a software program that blocks potential hackers from your individual computer or your computer network. Many different computer firewall software packages are available with a broad variety of costs and update options. Any computer that is always connected to the internet needs a firewall package. Firewall's can also be mechanical and are normally referred to as routers.

What is a computer virus? A computer virus is an executable file designed to replicate itself while avoiding detection. A virus may disguise itself as a legitimate program. Viruses are often rewritten and adjusted so that they will not be detected.

Where do we get firewall's?

If you are using Windows XP, you are in luck, as a firewall comes with this operating system. To enable or disable Internet Connection Firewall:

1. Open Network Connections.

2. Click the Dial-up, LAN or High-Speed Internet connection that you want to protect, and then, under Network Tasks, click Change settings of this connection.

3. On the Advanced tab, under Internet Connection Firewall, select one of the following:

a. To enable Internet Connection Firewall (ICF), select the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box.

b. To disable Internet Connection Firewall, clear the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box.

There are other excellent firewall's available. One of the best known (and free) is Zone Alarm which can be downloaded from the following location.

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp?lid=zadb_zadown

http://download.com.com/3000-2092-10039884.html?part=zonealarm&subj=dlpage&tag=button

Kerio Personal Firewall is another free firewall that can be downloaded at:
http://www.kerio.com/us/kpf_home.html

Sygate Personal Firewall is also a well known free firewall and can be downloaded at:
http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf/spf_ov.htm

All of these free firewall's are good, which is used is the user preference. Take some time and determine which one would meet your needs the best. Just remember it is prudent to use some kind of firewall to protect your system from outside intrusion.

Where do we get anti virus software? Some of the best known anti virus software are Norton's and McAfee. This is not an ad for either of these companies. These anti virus programs can be download from the internet. Both of these company's allow a user to download and try before buying.

Anti virus software can be purchased at most outlets that have computer software.

A well known and very good free anti virus program is call AVG and can be downloaded at:
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

There are many other company's that offer anti virus software. All of these antibioses software programs are good, which is used is the user preference. Take some time and determine which one would meet your needs the best. Just remember it is prudent to use some kind of anti virus software to protect your system from malicious destruction of your computer.

Like the critical updates for windows, the anti virus definitions must be kept updated at all times to be affective.

Are there any other hazard to surfing the internet? Most definitely, but these are the ones that can cause the most damage to the enjoyment of working or playing on the internet.