What is a Firewall?
Sep 24, 2021
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Many people do not fully understand the differences between antivirus software and a firewall. Some people may think that they are the same thing, and have the same function, however, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
You might have found yourself wondering at some point: what is the difference between a firewall and antivirus? The reality is that there are several differences between these two cyber security tools.
It is important to you to understand what each one is, and the key differences between them. This will help you to identify which one you need for your specific device. You need to find the ideal combination of cyber security measures.
What is a Firewall?
A firewall is software that protects your device. It is essentially a barrier between your device and the internet. A firewall will monitor both inbound and outbound data, and if anything suspicious is picked up, it will be blocked.
This means that no malicious software can enter your device from the internet, and nothing from your device can be sent to other devices. This is useful software to have on your device to keep it safe from any malicious software.
A firewall can also be installed in hardware. For example, you can install a firewall on your router. This will protect your entire network and all the devices that are connected to it. It’s a great cyber security investment.
Unfortunately, cybercriminals have developed ways to bypass firewalls. With modern technology and new tactics, most hackers are easily able to breach a firewall and deactivate it on your device.
How is a Firewall Different From Antivirus?
There are several key differences between a firewall and antivirus software. It is important to understand the difference between the two. This will help you to prioritize which one you need most urgently on your devices.
The main difference between the two is in how they operate. A firewall monitors and filters the internet traffic. In other words, it acts as a watchdog, keeping an eye out for any suspicious ‘packets’ that enter or leave your devices through the internet.
Antivirus software on the other hand scans your device for suspicious files and software. It will then take the necessary steps to remove them from your device and destroy them entirely.
In simpler terms, the firewall blocks malicious files from entering your device and the antivirus removes malicious files from your device. Another difference is that antivirus can only be installed as software, whereas a firewall can also be installed into hardware.
Is a Firewall an Effective Cybersecurity Measure?
The simple answer is yes. A firewall can be a great cyber security measure. It is perfect for protecting your device from the internet and any damaging files or software that might come from it.
However, it does have some flaws, which means that you cannot have a firewall by itself to protect your devices. There are ways that cybercriminals can get past a firewall. A firewall will not be able to remove any viruses or malicious software that is already on the device.
A firewall can be bypassed if the user allows it to be. For example, if there was a phishing scam that tricks the user into clicking a link to download software, the firewall will not be able to prevent the software from being installed on the device.
A virus can also come from a hard drive or a flash drive. The firewall will have no way of blocking this since it is a hardware device. The firewall will not be able to remove the corrupted files or malicious software.
Should You Use Extra Cybersecurity Measures?
While a firewall is a great line of defence for your devices, it is highly recommended that you make use of other cybersecurity tools as well. Since a firewall can only block threats and not remove them from your device, you need to have a backup in place.
The ideal backup is antivirus software. The antivirus will constantly scan your device and notify you if any suspicious files or software has been found on it. It can also take the necessary steps to remove it from your devices.
You must always ensure that your firewall and antivirus software is kept up to date. Software updates are sent out to fix any potential flaws in the system that have been discovered by hackers.
Software updates also offer new features and new additions to their security measures. This is necessary for developers to work on since cybercriminals are always finding new ways to bypass the security software. They need to ensure that they always remain a step ahead.
Combining these two cybersecurity tools would be ideal to prevent cyberattacks on your devices. If you had to choose between one of the two, antivirus would be the best option since it is capable of removing and destroying threats entirely.