Firewall Hardware and Software

Firewall - A firewall is a set of related programs, located at a network gateway server, that protects the resources of a private network from users from other networks. (The term also implies the security policy that is used with the programs.) An enterprise with an intranet that allows its workers access to the wider Internet installs a firewall to prevent utsiders from accessing its own private data resources and for controlling what outside resources its own users have access to.

Important Read First: BACKUP YOUR DATA , I would hate for you to lose all your data if something went wrong.

Products:

Check here for any Firewall Reviews. Click Here to check out the reviews.

All the software was installed on Microsoft Windows XP Pro with SP2 installed and all patches.

I have also tested this product on Windows 2000 Pro, Windows XP Home.

Diagram:
To see a Diagram on Firewall configuration, Click Here, As you can see in the image the hardware firewall is there to stop bad people and things from the internet and the software firewall is there for application that have installed themself on your computer and are trying to communicate with something or someone on the internet. Of course there are different ways to configure these tools but this works very well for me.

Hardware:
Hardware Firewalls and/or Routers in most cases are used when you have a high speed connection. You can either purchase a firewall hardware/Router at your local Computer Store or purchase on the internet, Check out AMAZON:Click Here for Routers

Software:

* Check Point ZoneAlarm Firewall Software
Click Here to Download.

Free for Home Users, Supported platforms: Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 or SP2 and Microsoft Windows, XP SP2 or SP3.