What is Firewall?

Firewall restricts information that comes from the internet or a network to our computer. Firewall gives more control over the data on our computer. Firewall is a barrier that checks traffic coming from other computers or a network to our computer. Firewall allows or disallows this traffic depending on our firewall settings.

Without invitation if somebody on the internet or a network tries to connect to our computer then firewall blocks the connection. Multiplayer games receives information from internet or a network. When we are playing multiplayer games then firewall asks whether we block or unblock the connection. If you choose block then you can not play the multiplayer game. If you choose unblock then firewall creates an exception for that multiplayer game then you can play the game with others on the internet. Firewall won't bother when that game receives information from the internet in future. So firewall provides defense against people or programs that try to connect to our computer without invitation. Thus it provides more secure to our computer.

Firewall block viruses and worms that try to reach our computer. But firewall does not detect or disable viruses and worms that are already on our computer. So we should also install antivirus software. We have to update antivirus software regularly in order to prevent virus and worms attacks.

Firewall ask for our permission to block or allow certain connection requests. But firewall does not stop us from opening e-mail with dangerous virus attachments. Also it does not block spam e-mail that come to our inbox.

Firewall creates a security log. Security log is a record which records successful and unsuccessful attempts that try to connect to our computer.

Note: Articles on Windows NT,Windows 2000 Server,Windows 2003 Server will come soon on my blog under the same NETWORKING section.