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For those of you who don't know, a firewall is a system that intercepts all data entering or leaving your PC or network. Most often it is a piece of software or hardware that either hides true network addresses, preventing outsiders from gaining access to information stored on individual PCs, or blocks sensitive internal data from escaping out into the Internet.

Many users today are online 24/7--thanks to their broadband connection. In addition, more and more computers are networked--often allowing multiple PCs to share one internet connection. These always-on connections give hackers more opportunities than ever to break-in!

Our advice: Use a firewall. Protect your home network from internet hackers by creating a secure barrier called a firewall, the same as that used by businesses. All our products come with firewall protection, the industry standard for network security. If your PCs are networked, layer your defenses by using both router-based hardware and desktop-based software firewalls.

Every network's first layer of defense should be at the router--the device that allows your computers to communicate with other local computers and the internet. All our routers include built in firewalls. So you're all set, right? Maybe?

While routers will keep hackers from discovering the nature of your network (how many systems you have, what operating system they're running, etc.), and help protect you from attackers trying to break in, that's only half the battle. The other half is protecting your net from hackers who have already broken in--via a Trojan horse or spyware, for example--and are trying to send outgoing messages to the Internet from your systems.

That's why you need yet a second layer of defense: outbound protection.

You can get this extra layer of security by installing a software firewall on each desktop or laptop on your net--or on your individual PC, if you only have one computer. This software will alert you whenever malicious programs on your system try to connect to the Internet. Personal firewalls are not expensive, most are less than $50 and some can be downloaded for free. However, downloading "free" software sometimes has strings attached. Read the licensing agreement carefully! You could be giving the company the right to sell your private information to spammers (such as your email address).

In conclusion, it may seem a little daunting to set up one firewall, let alone two, but most personal firewalls are easy to use, with plenty of wizards to walk you through the process. It's such a small hassle when you consider the larger picture. After all, each secure network is one less place hackers can look for systems to use in attacks on larger commercial or governmental Web sites.

Simply Network can install your network and personal firewalls on your computers for safe and secure internet access.

It's easy when you call Simply Network!