Site of the moment, FirewallGuide.com

FirewallGuide.com provides easy access to basic information about, and independent, third-party reviews of Internet security and privacy products for home, telecommuter, and SOHO (small office, home office) end-users. For current security news, reviews and alerts, see their Internet Security News page.

The Wild West? A personal computer connected to the Internet without a firewall can be hijacked in just a few minutes by automated hacker ''Bots''. The only way to make your computer 100% secure is to turn it off or disconnect it from the Internet. The real issue is how to make your computer 99% secure when it is connected. Not having protection is like leaving your car running with the doors unlocked and the keys in it which a thief might interpret as "please steal me". Stated another way, when was the last time you handed a stranger your wallet and encouraged them to take your social security card, drivers license, cash and credit cards? Locking a car, using a "club" or installing a security system makes stealing a car more difficult. Internet security and privacy products provide adequate protection by making it difficult for "outlaws" to take control of your computer and rip you off.

Bottom Line -- At minimum, any computer connected to the Internet needs to have all current patches to its operating system and browser installed as well as personal firewall, antivirus and anti-spyware software. A more complete solution is taking a layered approach to protect your security and privacy as follows:

• First line of defense -- Choose an Internet service provider and/or an email service that offers online (server side) virus and spam email filters.
• Second line of defense -- Install a wired or wireless hardware router with a built in firewall between your modem and your computer or network. Also consider using a broadband gateway offering a combination of hardware and security software.
• Third line of defense -- Use a security software suite or a collection of individual software products including, at a minimum, personal firewall, anti-spyware, and anti-virus products. Also consider using anti-Trojan, anti-spam, anti-phishing, and privacy software. Please note that cost is not an issue since there is good security freeware available.

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