Protect Information On Your Computer By Getting A Firewall

Firewalls are software programs that can be used to detect ifsomeone is trying to access files on your computer. A firewall blocksout any unauthorized traffic as well as permits authorized traffic to passthrough.

"[Your computer] is potentially a target if you have yourpersonal finance information on there, or anything else that maybe sensitive to you," says Jamie Wohlschelegel, a computer securityconsultant.

Firewalls are available online for $30 or $40. In somecases, you can get firewalls for your computer for free.

Hardware solutions come in the form of special routers for use when more than one computer is hooked to the Internet. Another way to protectyourself if you have high-speed Internet access is by turning off yourcomputer when you finish using it.