Hardware firewall and Antivirus or Windows Firewall

[Khairul]

Dear MalwareTips members. This question has quite often being asked before, and discussed too.

But the differences between hardware firewall such as fortigate, sophos firewall and the software firewall such as windows firewall, kaspersky firewall, eset firewall and other software firewall does seems getting thinner and thinner that until it doesnt seems that there siginoficat differences betweem these 2.

So can anyone who has such experience tell me. Whats the differences between these 2 (hardware and software firewall) in terms of protection against malware?

And nowadays with endpoint security suits also include a lot of features that once only offered on hardware firewall, does there any needs anymore to use hardware firewall?

 

[bribon77]

A hardware firewall should be used when we want to protect our entire network through a single device. In this way all the computers we connect will be protected from possible threats. This is best suited for large companies, for example. In a single place they could control all the connections that enter.

It should also be borne in mind that our devices would only be safe while we are in that network where we have installed the hardware firewall. When we leave that network no longer.

On the other hand, a software firewall is recommended for home users.

In addition, your router has a firewall in addition to the one you use on your PC. If you are a domestic user does not deserve to have a hardware Firewall. (It's just my opinion)

 

[Local Host]

The difference is simple, a hardware firewall will protect the network, most broadband routers come with it. Is not exclusive to companies either, however in companies they need way more ports to cover all the machines, while normally your home routers will cover around 4 devices (not counting WiFi).

The Windows Firewall is more than enough to protect your device, while the Router Firewall will protect your Home Network.

 

[show-Zi]

Each can be interpreted as a front door and a room door