Firewalls

What is a firewall?

A firewall is a barrier that is placed in between your computer and other computers that may be able to connect to your computer, via means such as the internet. Firewalls stop unauthorised users gaining access to your computer, which they may attempt to do in order to steal your data, install ‘malware’ or simply be ‘nosy’. They do this by blocking access to ‘ports’ on your computer and also by hiding your computer from the view of other internet users. They also keep a monitor on any network traffic that is passed to or from your computer.

What is the difference between hardware and software firewalls?

Hardware firewalls are external devices that you plug your computer into before it is plugged into your modem. They have the advantage of being separate from your computer, should your computer pick up a virus which could potentially deactivate your firewall. They also avoid any performance impact from running on your computer. Should you be connected to the internet via a network of computers, or via a wireless connection, your ‘router’ may have a firewall included.

Software firewalls are programs installed on your computer that run automatically in the background, which could result in some performance impact. They tend to be cheaper than hardware firewalls and have the advantage of configurable functionality which can easily be changed to specify who can/cannot have access to your computer. Some software stops not only incoming intruders, but also non-authorised data being sent from your computer, in the instance where your computer may already have been infected by malware that is trying to send out your private data or use your computer to send out spam. Some firewall software can also be configured to ban access to suspect internet sites and include some amount of virus and spyware protection, although this should never be relied upon. The main disadvantage of software firewalls it that they could potentially be inactivated, by malware that may find its way onto your pc, via means of a computer virus or spyware.

Should I use a hardware or a software firewall?

Hardware firewalls will not work via a dial-up modem, so if you connect to the internet using a dial-up connection, a software installed firewall is the only option.

If you work as part of a network, you will probably want to use a hardware firewall to sit alongside your router, should this not be already included with your router. If you are have an individual connection to the internet, you will probably opt for a cheaper software firewall.

If you have very sensitive data, or you need to prevent even colleagues on your network from hacking into your computer, you may decide to use both a hardware and a software firewall, for double protection, although keep in mind that this will also be double the amount of troubleshooting to decipher where a problem might lie when an authorised user or program is having trouble gaining access.

Will a firewall protect me from computer viruses and spyware?

No - not unless your firewall comes with additional functionality. Whilst some firewalls may provide a limited amount of protection, such as an alert when a suspect email is received, they will not usually protect you against all instances, so additional virus and spyware protection software will usually be required. Have a look at our spyware page to find our how to protect your computer against spyware.

How much does a firewall cost?

Software firewalls can be downloaded for free from the internet, but they usually have limited functionality. You can pay up to around £45 for a software firewall that also includes a full suite of protection, such as anti virus software and spam filters.

Hardware firewalls tend to be much more expensive. Starting at around £25 for a simple router with firewall protection included, up to many thousands for advanced firewalls that are suitable for management of big, complex networks in larger organisations.

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