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You’ve likely heard of VPNs and antivirus software as essential tools that help maintain your online security and privacy, but firewalls often get little to no attention. However, they’re just as important when it comes to protecting your devices and data, especially given the growing number of cybersecurity risks.
If you value your online safety, there are five reasons a personal firewall is a must-have.
1Protection Against Unauthorized Access
Afirewall worksby acting like a filter between outside traffic sources and your device. Without a firewall, your network and device are open to every attempted connection, including malicious ones. Even if you practice safe browsing habits, a skilled hacker could gain unauthorized access to your system without you even knowing.
With a firewall, though, incoming and outgoing data is continuously scanned and filtered based on pre-determined security rules, ensuring that only trusted IP addresses can access your device. This gives you an extra layer of protection against malicious users and more control over your network and devices.
2Network and Port Security
Modern operating systems come with built-in firewalls, but thistype of firewalloffers limited protection, typically only extending to the device the OS is installed on. This is seldom sufficient, given that home networks today are connected to all kinds of IoT devices. For instance, I have a couple of smart TVs, a camera, and a few phones connected to my home network at all times. These devices lack robust security features like a built-in firewall, making them an easy target for cybercriminals.
Unfortunately, your home network is as secure as the least protected device on it, which is why it helps to invest in a dedicated network firewall that will manage traffic across devices and secure vulnerable ports. This will prevent hackers from exploiting any weaknesses in the network or opening ports to launch attacks.
3Safeguards Personal Data
The distinctions between home and office networks have blurred in recent times, considering how many remote workers use their devices for both work and leisure. Since you’re likely to have sensitive data on your devices, even on your home network, it becomes all the more important for you to have a firewall in place.
A firewall will ensure that all the devices on the network are protected, which will, in turn, keep your personal or professional data from becoming exposed due to bad actors hacking into your network.
4Malware Protection
A firewall can protect you against cyber threats, including malware and viruses. However, you shouldn’t consider it a substitute forantivirus software. There aredifferences between how a firewall and antivirus work; when used together, they can complement each other and offer comprehensive security.
However, a firewall is still a good first line of defense against known malware and viruses. Blocking unauthorized traffic, including suspicious IP addresses with harmful data packets and malicious software, can stop bad traffic from reaching your device.
5Reduces Pop-Ups
Pop-ups can affect your browsing experience. Butis it safe to allow pop-ups in your browser? While they’re mostly pretty harmless, bad actors can generate malicious pop-ups capable of installing viruses and malware into your device if you accidentally click on them. The good news is that keeping your device free of spammy pop-ups is fairly easy with a firewall, which blocks unwanted traffic.
Although firewalls can help maintain online security, keep in mind that they cannot protect your device against all types of cyber attacks. You should ideally use a combination of methods that includes installing the best antivirus software, performing regular system updates, and practicingsafe browsing habits.
