Is there a chance that someone may break into my PC? If so, how can I prevent that?

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 Although it's statistically unlikely, it is possible that a knowledgeable cracker may be able to communicate with your PC, potentially accessing sensitive information such as financial files. Fortunately, a firewall can usually stave off all but the most determined crackers. Firewall software, such as Zone Labs' ZoneAlarm (www.zonelabs.com), is relatively inexpensive and readily available from any store that sells computers and software.
 
 Once installed and properly configured, a firewall checks and manages the communication between your computer and the Internet. Each application that communicates with the Internet (such as Microsoft's Outlook or Mozilla's Firefox) must receive permission from the firewall; otherwise, the firewall will block the communication.
 
 Remember that firewalls are not perfect. Malicious Web sites and infected emails may potentially install Trojan horses or spyware that can open back doors to a PC for later intrusion. That's why it's vital to also install antivirus and anti-spyware applications to further protect your data.