Every day there seems to be a new threat lurking in cyberspace, but that threat can seem very remote from the comfort of your own home. A firewall is a vital part of protecting your computer, your family and your privacy.

A firewall serves as the lock to keep unwanted intruders out of your computer and your private information secure. Going on line without a firewall is comparable to leaving the doors and windows of your home unlocked and open. Sooner rather than later, someone will discover the open doors. They might just poke around out of curiosity or they may seek damage your computer and invade your privacy.

As more people seek to cut back on unnecessary expenditures, many may be tempted to let subscriptions to anti-virus and firewall software lapse. Keeping your computer safe can be a costly endeavor, but there is no need to sacrifice safety to save money.

If you opt for one of the Free Anti-Virus Software Downloads to safe guard your computer against viruses, your computer may still be vulnerable without a firewall.

Free Firewall software is available for personal use from several sites. All of these companies offer pay versions of their software, but the free versions will provide basic protection.

Comodo Personal Firewall Offers the option to install the firewall by itself or add anti-virus.

Zone Alarm Personal Firewall is one of the most popular free firewalls.

Smooth Wall is an open source firewall.

Sunbelt Firewall offers good protection without slowing down your system. Scroll to the chart at the bottom of the page the free version is under the "SPF 4 free" column.