Firewall vs. antivirus: What’s the difference and do you need both?

December 17, 2022

By Kim Komando

When it comes to protecting yourself online, there’s a lot of confusion. Between VPNs, two-factor authentication, antivirus software and firewalls, there are so many ways to protect yourself that it can be hard to track them all.

One big mistake people make is buying one service and wiping their hands clean. They’ll think, “Well, I got this highly-rated program, so I’m completely safe!” Sadly, that’s not enough.

To truly protect your gadgets, you’ll need to understand the programs you use. Firewalls and antivirus programs are incredibly helpful, but they often get confused with one another. People might use one and think they don’t need the other, weakening overall security. Thanks to our sponsor, TotalAV, we created a guide on these two safety tools: what they are, how they’re different, and how they can help you.

What is a firewall?

If you’re not entirely sure what a firewall is, think of it as a modern version of a medieval gatekeeper. Hundreds of years ago, guardsmen in armor used to stand by their city’s front gate, keeping a close eye on all the merchants who brought their goods in for trade. Your firewall is a digital guardsman watching the data streaming in and out of your system.

Just as an armored guard would halt suspicious visitors, so, too, does your firewall block questionable data from entering your system. A firewall is a protective barrier separating your devices from the dangers of the internet.

But it’s not like antivirus software, which neutralizes malware on your phone or computer. It also won’t scan for files. It’s just a guard that checks the network’s data flow and makes sure it’s safe before it flows into your device.

Guards are helpful, but they can’t fix or catch every problem. For that, you’ll need antivirus software.

What is antivirus software?

This is a critical asset in your safety toolbox. Antivirus software works in the background to keep you safe browsing the web. It’s designed to proactively search for and remove digital threats, like malware, Trojans and more.

Antivirus software is an essential part of your digital security system. A virus could slip into your machine after just one bad click or download if you don’t have it.

That’s because digital threats are ubiquitous; you’ll even find them on children’s websites. Sadly, even websites seemingly run by the government aren’t always safe. Criminals set up copycat sites that look like the real deal to get your guard down.

Bottom line: Viruses are everywhere. Scammers work incredibly hard to invade your devices. That’s why you need antivirus software to do the heavy lifting.

Do you need both?

Yes. Although both programs are beneficial, they don’t accomplish the same tasks. You’ll want as much protection as possible, so you should beef up your security measures and use both.

Remember: Antivirus software works in the background to protect your devices. Firewalls are like guards keeping an eye out for dangerous data coming in. When both of them work together, cybercriminals have a tough time invading your digital life.

One option stands above the rest when it comes to staying safe online.

Kim’s pick for total online security

TotalAV’s award-winning antivirus security suite offers complete protection you can rely on, with built-in adware, ransomware and malware protection. TotalAV’s Safe Site browser extension detects and blocks dangerous phishing sites automatically, so you always know you’re entering your private data on the right site.

Best of all, you can protect up to five devices on a single account. It works with your Windows PC, Mac computer, iPhone and Android smartphones.

Right now, get an annual plan for only $19 at ProtectWithKim.com. That’s over 85% off the regular price. What are you waiting for?