what is a fire wall for my computer? If i need it how do i get one?

Answer 1

http://www.zonelabs.com/ (firewall)
http://www.lavasoft.com/ (ad-aware)
http://www.safer-networking.org/ (spybot s&d)
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ (avg Anti-Virus)
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/ (Crap Cleaner)
http://www.download.com/ (A useful site for just about anything & everything else)

Answer 2

Firewall is something that protects your computer from incoming connections as well as outgoing connections... some applications (Software) you use need to communicate with the internet, such as Windows Media Player and iTunes (for some example). They need ports open so they can communicate. If you have a firewall this ports get blocked and your software wont work (Some will). It also prevents viruses,Trojans and spy ware to access you computer.

You can get some dissent ones for free... AVG Anti Virus.

Answer 3

A firewall does several things -- it makes your computer basically invisible to others on the internet, hides your identity, blocks certain information to and from your computer.... Windows comes with a basic firewall. You can buy other software that creates a virtual firewall, or you can get a firewall router with built-in protection. Probably the cheapest, most reliable firewall would be a linux firewall -- can be run on an old 486 or Pentium I or II if necessary.

Answer 4

The answer to second part of your question, here is a list of free ones

Answer 5

If you have XPsp2 You are good to go.You can access your security settings under your control panel.