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Today, if you connect your computer to the Internet without a firewall, you are not
just offering your computer up to the world to have its files destroyed -- you are offering
your computer to be used.
In what ways?
- Sending out spam -- yes, from YOUR computer.
- Attacking other computers
- As a file storage space for other Internet users
When you connect your computer to the Internet without a firewall, your computer is
now similar to a submarine under water with a screen door. (A LOT of water will come rushing
in ....)
There are more than 196,000 DIFFERENT ways of communicating on the Internet. Microsoft
Internet Explorer normally utilizes only three of these.
Without a firewall running on your computer, you are giving anyone on the Internet over
196,000 ways of getting into, running (from a remote location), breaking or deleting files
from YOUR computer and all of your data that lies within it.
This would be similar to taking that brand new car of yours, shining it up as much as
it possibly can be shined up, parking it downtown with the windows open and the keys in
the ignition, and getting big signs telling people what it is put up all around it and
walking away ...
People looking for computers to break into have HUNDREDS tools that allow them look
for and find computers that are available for use and abuse by others.
If you have any personal data on that computer -- you are an EASY target for identity
thieves, which could lead you into many years of trying to recover your good name.
This is such a problem that the FBI made a rather strongly supportive Statement For
The Record before the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism
and Government Information Hearing On Senate 2541, "The Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement
Act". A record of this statement is available here:
Symptoms of someone else utilizing your computer:
- Crashing often
- Slower than normal Internet access that persists
- Running out of Windows "resources"
- Having to reboot often
Bottom line: computer firewalls are a necessity today. But while firewalls do so much
to protect you and your sensitive data, you may be pleasantly surprised at the cost. Go
to: Computer Services : Firewalls
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