What Is Firewall And Internet Security? How Does This Help in Computer Virus Prevention?

In computer parlance a firewall is rather spyware prevention tool than for virus prevention. Firewalls may come along with the operating system or is a part of your antivirus or can be downloaded as a separate piece of software. Firewall is software like antivirus but prevents access to your computer by unauthorized sources. Well, what does this mean to you?

Spywares, which penetrated your PC, try to send your various data like your online habits or bank account details including passwords to their masters whenever you connect to the net. As for corporate servers, which have both intranet and internet, a firewall separates them so that unauthorized access to intranet is prevented. Personal firewall exists on PC's with many user accounts. Access policies can be activates so that children can access only sites that are useful to them.

In an organizational setup a firewall can be a standalone equipment or software installed in the server or routers. If yours is Windows based home PC, XP with service pack-2 with inbuilt firewall protects you seamlessly. When you are disconnected from internet, there is no threat posing you virtually but the scenario arises when you are online. In the absence of firewalls, scrupulous sites install spywares clandestinely. Outside Microsoft, you can get personal firewalls from sources like McAfee which integrate seamlessly with their other products, too.

What about Email Attachments Which Have Become Threatening?

Don't be afraid, just yet. Not all email attachments are viruses or other types of frivolous codings. What with antivirus guard in position you will be forewarned when you attempt to open or download an attachment. These days most mail handlers provide a free antivirus protection for all attachments. However, it is better on your part to exercise a little caution. Here are a few tips on how best you can handle your email attachments.

• Don't open suspicious email and attachments no matter how they trick you into opening it.
• Don't open attachments with extensions .exe or .pif unless you requested them. Incase of zip files you can scan them by right clicking on its icon and choosing the antivirus to scan it.
• Never trust emails which tell your account has been cancelled and induce you to opening an attachment.

We all know virus prevention is easier said than done. A good computer virus prevention strategy invariably begins and ends at restraint on your online activities despite trusted anti virus guard.