Firewall Vs. Antivirus

Firewalls and antivirus software keep your computer safe.

Firewalls and antivirus software help to protect your computer from hackers and viruses. Firewalls provide the first line of defense by blocking remote access to a computer, while antivirus software removes malicious software or programs that may have slipped past the firewall.

Firewall

The Antivirusware website notes that a firewall "helps to prevent hackers from accessing your computer through the Internet." Computers connect to the outside world via ports and a firewall effectively monitors these ports to prevent your computer being hijacked and to block malicious software or programs.

Antivirus software

Antivirus software protects computers from viruses and other malware, such as Trojans, worms and keyloggers. Antivirus software works in the background, monitoring your Web activity. It will alert you if are about to enter a suspicious website or download a file infected with a virus.

Considerations

You can protect your computer more effectively by using antivirus software in conjunction with a firewall. According to Microsoft, a firewall provides a good first line of defense but should be just one part of your computer's overall security.

References

• Microsoft Security: Firewalls: Frequently Asked Questions
• Antivirusware: What is a Computer Firewall?