[jessecannon]

I am not good at computer stuff.. so what does firewall actually do? Does it protect the computer from being hacked or do i need more security then that.

[xgerryx]

A firewall basically stops unauthorized access to or from your computer. A firewall will, depending on settings, allow or block access, or ask your permission to allow or block access.

It is a very important part of your security.

A google search for "what is a firewall" comes up with some very good reading.

[lunarlander]

Yes you need more security than just a firewall. A firewall blocks direct attacks to your computer. Most keeps track of connection states, if you surf to Google.com then it allows Google.com to send stuff back to you, other connections attempting to reach your computer will be blocked.

However, thats just covers one vector of attack - the direct kind. They can try and email you a malicious attachment . Or maybe someone gave you a link to download a freebie that is actually a virus. For those attacks, you need an antivirus program to counter them.

Browsers and their add-ons have bugs. Some malicious web sites will make use of those bugs to install stuff to your computer. To counter that, you need an anti-spyware program. Examples are Ad-aware, Spybot S&D, Superantispyware and Webroot Spysweeper.

I believe that covers the basics.