What is a firewall?

From: sgopus (anonymous_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 12/31/03 

Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 15:17:46 -0800

Usually a computer when connected to the internet,
(without a firewall) is wide open to being detected by
someone searching for available ports, a firewall properly
configured doesn't allow your computer to be detected so
easily, and allows you to close ports that allow outside
influences to easily scan your pc, those nasty popups
most of them, are because your pc has been detected and
easily sent messages to. a firewall stops most of those
types of popups, not all however, some get by the firewall
by sneaking an adgate past you and installing it without
your knowledge, that's why you need adaware and spybot and
other anti spying software
Each time you install software make sure you scan with
adaware and spybot.

>-----Original Message-----
>Do I need one?
>
>I haven't updated my antivirus software in about 15
>months? Is that OK?
>.
>

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