Why Computer Intrusions are Dangerous

When your computer is connected to the Internet, not only can your PC access other computers online, but other computers can also access your PC. Unless you take precautions, malicious hackers can access your PC and steal important data, delete files and folders, or use your computer (via remote control) to attack other computers via remote control. This is true whether you use an always-on broadband Internet connection or a dial-up connection.

There are several different ways that your PC can be attacked. These different types of attacks — more accurately called intrusions — include the following:

Active Security Monitor detects a broad set of firewall programs (click here to see a complete list). Please note that it may take 30-60 minutes on certain occasions for Active Security Monitor to properly report the firewall status on your PC.