5 Best Firewalls to Prevent Hackers from Attacking
The threat of hackers is a major issue in the tech industry, and it can be difficult to know what to do to prevent such attacks. If you are relying on your computer’s default security settings, it’s probably not enough to prevent hackers from attacking.
Fortunately, there are a number of firewall software options on the market that can protect your computer from attacks. These tools are usually affordable and do an excellent job at securing your content.
In this post, we’ll go over how firewalls work and how you can use one. We’ll then look at five of the best firewalls to protect your computer from attacks. Let’s get started!
What is a Firewall?
A firewall is a network security system that tracks traffic on your computer and identifies any potential malicious activity. Once identified, many firewalls will attempt to block or restrict the malicious traffic from accessing your data.
Firewalls can be both hardware and software, but the latter is much more common. Hardware firewalls are primarily used for large-scale servers, while the software is used for both business and personal computers.
Any computer that regularly accesses the internet should have a good firewall installed. You can never anticipate a malicious attack, so the only way to prevent it from happening is to always be prepared. You can simply set up the firewall and leave it to run checks in the background while you use your computer.
The threat of hackers, malware, ransomware, viruses, and data theft is very real. Firewalls are one of the most effective ways to mitigate these attacks.
How to Secure Your Computer from Hackers
Some operating systems have their own firewall software. For instance, Windows Firewall, previously called Windows Defender, is designed to help you protect your computer.
To make sure Windows Firewall is activated, start by opening the software on your computer. Go to the left panel of your screen, choose “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off” and follow the prompts to turn it on. Once activated, the tool will attempt to eliminate threats to your data. It will also run updates to ensure that you’re covered as best as possible.
Some third-party firewalls may require you to turn off Windows Firewall in order to work properly. This is fine, but you’ll need to make sure that the software is reliable.
If you run your own website, it’s also important that you protect your online content. Websites are frequently the targets of hackers looking to steal user data. You can install a firewall on your server to defend your site against these threats.
At WP Engine, we offer managed WordPress hosting plans that are designed to improve the performance of your website and protect your content from online threats. Plans include enterprise-grade WordPress security, DDoS protection, a firewall, and more:
Firewalls are especially useful for websites that have a local installation. This is because external servers tend to already have hardware firewalls and other security measures in place. With local installations, you’ll need to implement your own security tools.
5 Best Firewalls to Prevent Hackers from Attacking
Now that we know what firewalls are and how you can use them to defend against attackers, let’s look at five of the best options on the market.
1. Bitdefender
Bitdefender is one of the world’s leading cybersecurity companies. It owns 440 patents for core security technologies and aims to provide the most efficient product possible.
Bitdefender’s firewall can keep your information safe from hackers and data snoops. It’s available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Bitdefender has a range of comprehensive plans for both personal and business uses. This means that you’ll likely find a solution that is perfect for your needs.
The firewall software is streamlined and very easy to use. It also has minimal impact on your system’s performance.
Furthermore, Bitdefender offers a wide range of features in addition to the firewall. If you’re looking for added security, this may be a good choice.
One downside to Bitdefender is that it’s heavily reliant on an internet connection. If you go offline, most of the software’s features will stop working, which could put your content at risk.
2. Norton
Norton is an all-in-one digital protection solution. Its advanced security technology includes the Smart Firewall software, which blocks unauthorized access to your computer and monitors all traffic that is permitted. The firewall pairs with the Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) for added security.
Norton Antivirus has a good support team that can assist with any issues or inquiries you may have. Additionally, the software is updated regularly and comes with a number of additional security features.
The user interface is clean and friendly. It makes it relatively easy to find out what threats have been identified and to change the settings of the tool.
A major downside of Norton is that it is very resource-heavy. This can have a significant effect on the speed and performance of your computer, so completing day-to-day tasks may be a bit more time-consuming when you use this firewall.
3. McAfee
McAfee is a digital protection solution that aims to empower users and help them enjoy safer internet browsing. Unlike many other options, McAfee does not target businesses and focuses solely on individuals and families.
McAfee has a simple, user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. The customer support team has a reputation for offering quick and helpful solutions to issues and inquiries, making the product more stress-free to use.
McAfee is a global leader in encryption innovation and technology. It has some of the most effective digital security protocols in the world.
While McAfee may be an attractive option at first due to its low price, the basic software is not all-inclusive. There are a number of features that cost extra, meaning you may not get the coverage you were expecting.
4. Avast
Avast offers a popular free antivirus solution as well as premium security options. The company is an advocate for digital freedom and believes that everyone deserves to be free and safe online. Avast’s offerings include both home and business plans, with the Avast One solution being the most popular product.
The basic Avast antivirus is completely free. Additionally, the software is extremely easy to set up and use. Therefore, Avast can be a good choice if you want a simple solution.
Despite being an affordable option, Avast offers very good protection. It can detect, identify, and eliminate potential threats to keep your content safe.
One big problem with Avast is that the company has a proven history of selling user data. It has reportedly collected data such as clicks and website visits from web browsers, then repackaged and sold it to companies including Google, Microsoft, and Pepsi.
5. TotalAV
TotalAV is security software that lets users take control of their digital world and protect their content against harmful threats. The platform consists of three main products: Antivirus Pro, Internet Security, and Total Security. Each solution serves a different purpose, enabling users to get the best value for money.
TotalAV is compatible with multiple devices. This makes it an ideal choice for families and companies. It also offers real-time protection, meaning the software is constantly scanning for threats rather than checking at intervals. TotalAV is also known to have great customer service.
One problem with TotalAV is that its browser extension can be quite tricky to use. The user interface of the extension is slightly confusing and the overall layout could be hard for some users to navigate and understand.
Conclusion
The threat of hackers is real, but installing a firewall can help mitigate the issue. Firewalls use state-of-the-art technology to block attackers from gaining access to your computer and its files.
In this post, we looked at five of the best firewalls to prevent hackers from attacking:
- Bitdefender: a high-tech, all-in-one cybersecurity solution for those who need the strongest levels of protection.
- Norton: a simple, yet powerful digital protection software with products for both personal and business purposes.
- McAfee: a firewall software designed specifically for individuals and families.
- Avast: a free antivirus platform that can be paired with additional security measures for a powerful threat prevention solution.
- TotalAV: an online security software with multi-device compatibility and real-time threat protection.
WP Engine’s WordPress hosting platform comes equipped with a proprietary firewall baked in to ensure your site is as secure as possible. Learn more about our firewall and our other security measures here!
