Computer Firewalls
On the Internet, I’ve heard references to the phrase “firewall”. What is a firewall and will it actually burn me or my computer?
———- from R.Chambers of Valencia, CA
For many years, asbestos was the substance of choice when it came to fire protection. The unhappy product of mating between fabric and rock, asbestos was shown to the carcinogenic and was quickly removed from the market. This left the task of fire prevention to public service announcements featuring Smoky the Bear and the prohibition of indoor smoking. The computer industry, however, fared much better. Since everything used by computers is virtual, asbestos could still be used, because there it would only be virtually carcinogenic. So most computer firewalls are still made of asbestos, and are virtually inflammable, as well as entirely illusory.
For many years, asbestos was the substance of choice when it came to fire protection. The unhappy product of mating between fabric and rock, asbestos was shown to the carcinogenic and was quickly removed from the market. This left the task of fire prevention to public service announcements featuring Smoky the Bear and the prohibition of indoor smoking. The computer industry, however, fared much better. Since everything used by computers is virtual, asbestos could still be used, because there it would only be virtually carcinogenic. So most computer firewalls are still made of asbestos, and are virtually inflammable, as well as entirely illusory. 