Does Your Firewall Need an Antivirus Program to Support It?

Is it really necessary to have a firewall these days? Yes, of course! Whoever thinks you don't need a firewall is making a big mistake. Most of us have heard of a firewall, but nobody knows exactly what it is or gets more information on the subject! In this article, you will learn everything you always wanted to know about firewalls!

Protection against viruses for over 25 years

A firewall is a network security system that prevents any unauthorized access to or from a private network, while all external communication is still possible. The most important thing to know is that a firewall is your computer's first defense and that is why it is so important. The second thing you should know is that this firewall, which is important for protecting your network, is not the most powerful tool for preventing attacks. That means a firewall alone is not enough. Only a firewall and an antivirus program together provide adequate protection. A firewall is a somewhat stiff instrument, while antivirus software is constantly being updated and improved and offers new methods against Trojans, malware, and other types of viruses.

In summary, it can be said that a firewall is designed to protect your network or your PC against unauthenticated logins from outside. In this way, you can be sure that no unwanted guest can log into your PC. This is also the main function of a firewall.

A firewall is under attack: what can you do?

Nowadays there are only a few PCs that operate without a firewall as a first protective measure. Yet several people believe that an active firewall is enough to protect them. But one thing is certain:  a firewall alone is not enough!  Your computer or any private network connected to the Internet is at risk of attack.

What types of attacks? There is no simple answer to this, because viruses and attacks are very different and, depending on how cleverly programmed, they can be worse or less bad. Some malware reroutes part of your hardware and then operates all by itself. For example, these resources are used to host pirate software. Other programs are programmed to erase important data and destroy your network. This way, criminals can access your network and easily steal your credit card information and private data.

Cracks in the firewall

There are many reasons why you should secure your network on several levels. The main reason why you should also use antivirus software in addition to the firewall is that firewalls do not prevent all attacks. A firewall works simply by blocking various access points (so-called ports). However, hackers always find ways around these blockages and away onto their network and your PC. A firewall cannot prevent phishing attempts or prevent you personally from installing malware.

Cyber ​​attacks are genuine problems in 2021 - many businesses and individual users are affected. The firewall does its job, but unfortunately, this protection is not enough. The firewall must also be configured. Even if you install these correctly, certain security threats will likely slip through. We have already mentioned phishing attacks, but other types of malware are most likely to escape the firewall, such as password attacks, SQL injection, and Cross-Site Scripting (DDoS attacks). Conclusion: A firewall is a must as the first security measure, but you are only really protected in connection with a good antivirus program.

Strengthen your firewall with antivirus software

Don't just protect your PC with a firewall alone. There is too much to lose. Our whole life is documented and stored on the PC. Do not act only after the damage has already been done - be sure to install good antivirus software so that you no longer have to worry about its security and are completely protected.