Basically, a firewall helps protect your computer from unauthorized use. A firewall can be software or hardware. As hardware, it can be a part of your router or modem or it can be a separate appliance. In either form, it can block access to your computers. For more detail, read Russ King's article,
"Firewalls and You." You may also wish to read
"The Ins and Outs of Firewall Security" from
TechWeb's Network Computing. Go ahead. Go on. I'll wait.<:LINEBREAK:><:LINEBREAK:>The only computer that does not need a firewall is the one with no connection to the Internet. In that case, all you need to protect your information from outsiders is a door with a good lock. However, since many organizations have an always-on Internet connection such as DSL, a firewall is a necessity.<:LINEBREAK:><:LINEBREAK:>Though there are good software solutions available -- the
products from
Network ICE, for example -- I generally recommend that small organizations purchase a modem that includes a firewall. Talk to your DSL provider. They can point you toward one that will work well with their service. In fact, they may even offer one as a part of their services.<:LINEBREAK:><:LINEBREAK:>If a standalone device makes you feel better, check out
Watchguard's SOHO and
Ramp Networks' WebRamp. These firewall appliances range in the $500 area. They offer the greatest level of customization and may be more suitable for larger networks. However, with that increased customization comes greater complexity. Before you spend the money, make sure you have someone available to install and configure your firewall.<:LINEBREAK:><:LINEBREAK:>One last caveat and I'm outta here: Do not think that a firewall alone will offer protection from the outside world. Your network itself must be secure and you must be using (and regularly updating) a good anti-virus program.