Hardware vs. software firewall: differences and recommendations

A firewall is the protection system that is between the Internet and your computer network. Used correctly it will prevent unwanted access to your network. A server carefully analyzes the data and provides a protective barrier. This server can be a Firewall Hardware and Software.

The ideal would be to have both to secure the network. Many believe that it is the companies that should only have the firewall, but if your computer has access to the web, this server is necessary.

We recommend reading the following tutorials:

• What is a firewall and what is it used for? Top 5 Firewall for Windows 10. Best routers of the moment . (100% compulsory reading). How to encrypt data in Linux: Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Debian…

Differences between Firewall Hardware and Software

Hardware Firewalls can be purchased independently, although they usually come in broadband routers and must be considered essential if we connect by broadband. In medium or large companies, the Sonicwall firewall is used, the cheapest model costs 400 euros and the high range up to 3000 euros .

But what does a firewall do ? Mainly it examines the header of a package so that it can know the origin and destination. The information obtained is compared to rules that are already defined or that are created by users that define whether the package is forwarded or removed. For many of you to understand, it is a data filter and he decides who goes to the network or not…

In most cases, a hardware firewall is the perfect solution for organizations that want a single protection for different systems. The negative may be how expensive they are and how difficult they are to administer because they need supervision and the necessary knowledge for their daily installation, configuration and monitoring. Therefore, there are payment certifications for each brand on the market.

Obviously, those with a grasp of computing can easily plug in a hardware firewall, tune it up and get it working properly. But a common user must learn the specifications of their hardware firewall and how to use it to guarantee its correct operation.

You have to read the documents that come with the firewall since not all are the same. You can also buy software that is responsible for checking its correct operation and optimal protection.

Although we already give you a preview that there is a really good firewall in Linux that you can mount with a not very powerful PC, as long as you have a minimum of two network cards. The distribution is called IPCOP which is super good and in my higher education I opened up the world of networking quite a bit. If you want me to teach you how to set it up and how to manage it, ask for it through the comments and I will prepare a manual for beginners.

Let's go back to the key of the article… for ordinary users it is easier to choose a software firewall. These come installed (or you install it) on your computer and you can customize them. This software firewall will protect your PC against external control attempts and can even protect your computer from the most common worms and Trojans. Normally Windows has it activated and even your antivirus brings its own, which sometimes makes us a trick when it comes to playing online with our colleagues. Who has not happened? ?

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Image of the firewall panel of an Asus router

And it is that these software firewalls are designed for individual users or small companies that connect to the internet through broadband or dial-up access. And the advantage is that they are installed on each device individually, so, unlike hardware, if you go out with your laptop you retain protection. We even find it on smartphone and tablets.

Use both hardware and software firewall

Even if you have a hardware firewall in a company, each person on your team should have software on their computers individually. Every precaution is good as long as you know how to use it.

Another advantage is that the software firewall is easily expanded, you only have to download the patches, updates and improvements from the provider's site or even the same provider sends you the available news. What did you think of our article on Firewall Hardware vs Software? What do you use at home or in your company? We are waiting your comments.