When we need to protect our computers from outside intruders, there are a few options that are available to us. We need these options, because everyday our computer is probed by strangers that want to be able to access our personal information. They will take our information and sell it to the highest bidder. So to help prevent people from being able to penetrate our computer, we can use software known as a firewall. A firewall will block the ports of your computer and keep the bad guys from getting in. But, there are several different firewall solutions that we can use to get the job done. And our job is made a little easier by using Windows 7, one of the most secured operating systems out there.

The first type of firewall solution that you can set up to block intruders from your computer, is a hardware solution. You can use a software firewall or a hardware firewall. Most experts tend to agree that a hardware version is the better way to protect your computer. Preferably, you should have mix of the two, both a hardware and a software firewall set up. When you are dealing with a corporate network, then you could spend thousands of dollars on a firewall that will help protect you. But for the average home user trying to protect their network, the hardware solution would come in the form of your router. If you go into the router administration settings, you will see that there is an option that you can turn a firewall on or off. Most routers come with this option already turned on. The firewall on your home router can be the best option that you have when protecting your computer. Make sure that you keep it on.

Even if you have the hardware firewall option nailed down, you still want to back that up with a software firewall as well. This way your computer has double the protection. There are a few options that you can use for a software firewall. One of these solutions is the firewall that comes already built into Windows 7. In the past, the firewall that came with the Windows operating system was not a strong solution and you still needed a third party option to help back you up. But in Windows 7, the firewall is as robust as any third party solution that is on the market. You can surf the web safely knowing that you have a full featured firewall backing you up.

The last solution in regards to firewalls on Windows 7, is to use a third party solution. There are many companies that make a full featured suite of firewall products that will help protect your computer. You may even be able to purchase a firewall package that will also come with other security products as well. Products such as an anti virus solution. Over the years, some of the top software solutions out there, have really refined their products so that they can take on any attacker trying to get into your system. They have seen the worse that the web has to offer and they were able to create solutions for it. You will not be putting your computer in any type of harm if you went with a well known third party firewall vendor.

As you can see, there are many options that are available to you when it comes to a firewall. Take your time, and pick what solutions seems right to you.