Test Your Firewall

Just because you´ve installed internet security software on your PC doesn´t mean you´re in the clear. After installing any security software, always check regularly for updates at the vendor´s website. After installing a firewall, you can use an online testing service to make sure that it is working correctly.

Firewall Security Levels

The level of security you establish will determine how many of these threats can be stopped by your personal firewall. The highest level of security would be to simply block everything. Obviously that defeats the purpose of having an Internet connection. But a common internet security rule of thumb is to block everything, then begin to select what types of traffic you will allow. You can also restrict traffic that travels through the firewall so that only certain types of information, such as e-mail, can get through. For most of us, it is probably better to work with the defaults provided by the firewall software unless there is a specific reason to change it.