Question 1

Do I need a firewall if I have antivirus?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Antivirus and firewalls serve different purposes. Antivirus detects and removes malware, while a firewall monitors and controls network traffic to prevent unauthorized access to your devices and network.

Question 2

What is the difference between hardware and software firewalls?

Accepted Answer

Hardware firewalls are physical devices that protect your entire network, while software firewalls run on individual devices. For home use, a combination of both provides the best protection.

Question 3

Is the built-in Windows firewall enough?

Accepted Answer

Windows Firewall provides basic inbound protection but lacks advanced features like intrusion detection, application-level filtering, and network monitoring that dedicated firewall solutions offer.

Question 4

How do I know if my firewall is working?

Accepted Answer

You can test your firewall using online port scanning tools like ShieldsUP. A properly configured firewall should show all ports as either closed or stealth, meaning they do not respond to unsolicited requests.

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