Connecting to the Internet without a Firewall is like leaving the keys in your car with the engine running and the doors unlocked while you run into the store. Although you may be able to get in and out before anyone notices, someone may take advantage of the opportunity.

On the Internet, hackers use malicious code?such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses?to try to find unprotected computers. A firewall can help protect your computer against these and other security attacks.

SO...WHAT CAN A HACKER DO TO MY COMPUTER?

It depends on the nature of the attack. While some attacks are just nuisances that may play simple pranks, others are created with malicious intent. Hackers can:

• DELETE information from your computer
• CRASH your computer
• STEAL personal information, passwords or credit card numbers
• MONITOR your activities
• USE your PC to perform illegal attacks against major corporations

Let's face it, whether you have a dial-up or high-speed connection, you're a potential victim for hackers and malicious intruders. Fortunately, you can reduce your risk of infection by using Silverbox's Personal Firewall. The Personal Firewall security service guards the "doors" to your computer - that is, the ports through which Internet traffic comes in and goes out. Personal Firewall examines all the network traffic arriving at your computer, and asks these questions:

• Where did the traffic come from and what port is it addressed to?
• Do the rules allow traffic through that port?
• Is the traffic authorized by a program on your computer?

Personal Firewall monitors all traffic entering and leaving your computer, and alerts you to any unauthorized attempt to connect to your computer. Below is one of the notifications the Personal Firewall displays as it works to protect the contents of your computer:

SHOW ME WHICH PROGRAMS ARE TRYING TO SEND INFORMATION OVER THE INTERNET
When an Internet program is started, the program tries to establish a network connection. While the program is trying to establish this connection, Personal Firewall stops the program from connecting until you decide what network activity you want this program to take. The message appears when one of your programs is trying to access the Internet. Choose Allow, if you want to give permission to the program to access the Internet or Block to stop it.

Personal Firewall is the best protection against malicious activities. Our software automatically blocks intrusions and hostile attacks. It not only acts as a shield for your system, but it also boasts additional security features to make your Internet experience more secure. Easy-to-use, yet highly powerful, our Personal Firewall software is a must-have defense for your computer and personal data.