Most of us have a wireless router at home.  This allows us to roam around our house with our notebook or laptop and enjoy being able to access the internet and our network safe from hackers.  Unfortunately, many of us take this protection for granted - and forget about it when we connect to wireless networks outside our home.

Prime examples of this behavior would be taking your notebook to school, going out for coffee to do your work, or sitting in the park connecting to your city’s free wireless internet.  It is these situations where one forgets about the firewall at home and runs the risk of their computer being hacked.

If you do take your notebook out of your home, be sure to install firewall software on your computer.  Examples of software available are Zone Alarm (there is a free version available), Norton Internet Security and others.  Basically the firewall will protect your computer from outside attackers and keep your data safe when you are both at and out of your home.  A firewall is like a parka in winter - you wouldn’t go outside at -40C naked - give your laptop the same consideration.