what is a firewall on a computer and what does it really do?

Question

i just recently installed antivirus and antispyware on my computer but the package also included a firewall for free for purchasing the other systems. i talked to a friend who said i should delete the firewall as it will only prevent me from looking at alot of websites. i know the antivirus and antispyware work great as it scanned my computer and removed a bunch of trojans and spyware. but i really dont know exactly what a firewall is. i thought it was a way of protecting my computer from incoming viruses. but my friend said it will only prevent me from getting on websites i might want to look up. i didnt really want it but they included it free. its from the company called webroot if that makes any difference. should i delete it or just leave it?

Answer 1

you're friend misinformed you. A software firewall prevents other internet users from being able to find you easily while you're connected to the internet, by keeping your PC from responding to outside attempts to detect it. Depending on the software firewall, it will also alert you should programs on your PC try to connect to the internet, allowing you to decide whether they should be allowed to do so - careful use of this will let you know whether any malware (viruses, spyware, trojans, keyloggers) have gotten onto your PC and are trying to communicate out.

In short, leave it on - it's there to help you.

Answer 2

Each firewall has its own package of features.

I use ZoneAlarm. Anytime I want to connect to a new service I see a prompt. I can Allow or Deny.

The firewall has 3 standard security levels. If I wanted, I could completely disable it with a click, then later restore to one of the standard levels the next time I boot.

It's never been prevented me from connecting but there are times when I think it doesn't provide enough info to make a correct decision.

I suggest using the firewall AND scanning for bugs with a program like Spybot Search and Destroy.

Answer 3

Your friend gave you bad advice. While anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-adware programs are necessary these days, a firewall can keep out even nastier stuff. For example: you generally have to do something to get a virus or spyware: open an email attachment, download a program. But a firewall will protect you against dangers that can invade your machine when you're not even at it.

I strongly suggest you put up that firewall and learn to live with it.

Hope that helps.


EDIT: Do you see a trend here regarding the general opinion of your friend?

Answer 4

Your friend is an idiot! Please visit Zone Labs (the website for Zone Alarm) and read what they have to say about their products. Then download and use their free version. You cannot protect yourself from what comes down from the Internet with anti-virus or anti-spyware programs. They only scan your system for known threats AFTER you have become infected. And with today's Bots and Rootkits, scanners are practically useless after a successful attack. Your computer will be a lot more useless after you've been hit than if your firewall blocks certain websites from doing whatever they want to your computer. Also, you can configure Zone Alarm to let you do anything. It can even be disabled if you really trust a web site (but I would never completely disable a firewall -- just tell it to loosen up its restrictions for trusted sites).

Answer 5

your friend is stupid and is probably hacking you , firewalls
protect your computer from hackers by blocking and stealthing
your ports from unknown intruders , also firewalls are more
important than anti virus programs as firewall prevent viruses
from contacting hackers and also entering your system.