Firewalls

Don't be put off by the word "firewall." It's not necessary to fully understand how it works; it's enough to know what it does and why you need it. Firewalls help keep hackers from using your computer to send out your personal information without your permission. While anti-virus software scans incoming email and files, a firewall is like a guard, watching for attempts to access your system and blocking communications from and to sources you don't permit.

Some operating systems and hardware devices come with a built-in firewall that may be shipped in the "off" mode. Make sure you turn it on. For your firewall to be effective, it needs to be set up properly and updated regularly. Check your online "Help" feature for specific instructions.

Information on how to turn on your operating system's firewall.
Windows XP and Macintosh OS X operating systems have a built in firewall.

If your operating system doesn't include a firewall, get a separate software firewall that runs in the background while you work, or install a hardware firewall — an external device that includes firewall software. Several free firewall software programs are available on the Internet. You can find one by typing "free firewall" into your favorite search engine.

Here's a sample list of firewall software that you can purchase online.

http://security.getnetwise.org/tools/results/any1.php

This list was gathered and provided by the GetNetWise website. We cannot guarantee the effectiveness of any of the products listed on the GetNetWise website, nor do we endorse any products. The National Cyber Security Alliance is also unable to provide any technical assistance with any of these tools.