What is the primary purpose of using a firewall on a Personal Computer?

The correct answer is option 4: To block unauthorised access and protect the computer

Key Points

A firewall is a network security system (either hardware or software-based) designed to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic. Its main purpose is to create a barrier between your internal network and untrusted external networks (like the internet) to prevent unauthorized access.

Explanation of options:

• Option 1 – To speed up internet connectivity: ❌ Incorrect. Firewalls don’t affect internet speed; they monitor traffic for security.
• Option 2 – To increase storage space: ❌ Incorrect. Firewalls have no role in storage management.
• Option 3 – To clean up temporary files: ❌ Incorrect. That’s the job of disk cleanup or system maintenance tools.
• Option 4 – To block unauthorised access and protect the computer: ✅ Correct. This is the main function of a firewall — protecting systems from hackers, viruses, and unauthorized access.

Hence, the correct answer is: option 4: To block unauthorised access and protect the computer