Hacker Proof?
The only way to make your computer completely hacker proof is to turn it off or disconnect it from the Internet. The real issue is how to make your computer 99% hacker proof. An unprotected computer connected to the Internet via broadband (cable, DSL) is like leaving your car running with the doors unlocked and the keys in it which a thief might interpret as "please steal me". Locking a car, using a "club" or installing a security system makes stealing a car more difficult.

A broadband Internet connection is easier to hack because it is "always-on" and often has a static IP address. This means that once a hacker or script kiddie finds your computer, it is easier to find it again. Most 56k dial-up Internet connections use a new IP address each time you connect which makes it much harder to find your computer again unless a Trojan horse has invaded your system which can phone its home each time you connect.

Security and privacy products provide adequate protection because most "attacks" are impersonal. That is, the attackers are not targeting you or your computer but are looking for any easy mark connected to the Internet. If you make it difficult for them to find and gain entry to your computer, they will most likely leave you alone. If a real hacker decides to attack your computer, you can make it difficult for him/her but if he/she is good, they will likely find a way in. That is why large organizations have computer security staff and consultants working 24/7/365 to protect their computer networks.

Unless a hacker has some reason to make a personal attack on your computer, you should not worry too much about a direct assault. Telecommuters are a special case because they are working at home but are also connected to their organization's network. If you are a telecommuter or thinking about becoming one, contact your computer security staff for advice. Note: Microsoft was reportedly hacked via a telecommuter's home computer.

Prove It To Yourself
To find out from direct experience why you need a personal firewall, we suggest that you try one. After a few days, use the report function to see how many times your computer has been scanned. Please note that many scans are not dangerous, for example, your cable/dsl Internet service provider may be checking to see that your connection is ok. For firewalls that are free for personal use, see our freeware page. Many vendors offer a free trial of their products, see our firewall software review page for choices and links. If you are ready to buy a firewall, try our shop. Whichever choice you make, check the vendor's website after you install your firewall for updates. The last step is to test the firewall to see how well it works and to make sure that you installed and configured it correctly.
The Internet Is Like The Wild West Without a Sheriff!
There is no magic bullet. It takes a variety of actions and tools to use the Internet safely: