Difference Between Firewall and Antivirus: Do You Need Both?

Summary:

The distinctions between firewalls and antivirus protection and why you need both for robust cyber security.

As a small or midsized business (SMB) owner, safeguarding your data and other digital assets is a top priority. You've probably heard of firewalls and antivirus software, but do you know what distinguishes them? Understanding the differences between them is essential to your SMB's cyber defenses. Firewalls and antivirus software serve very different but complementary roles in your company’s cyber security strategy. If you’re not sure whether one is enough or if you need both, we will outline the diffrences between them so you can make an informed decision.

What is a Firewall?

Firewalls are your first line of defense against cyberattacks. They are digital cyber security barriers that decide who gets into your network and who stays out. Firewalls are a layer of defense that monitors your business's network traffic following a specific set of cyber security rules you (or your IT provider) configure. There are different kinds of firewalls. They can be hardware-based, software-based or a combination of the two.

Firewalls can be set to filter your network traffic based on IP addresses, domain names or protocols set by you. The filtering can prevent unauthorized entry to your network, especially by external hackers looking to exploit open network endpoints. By using firewall computer protection, you’re putting a security checkpoint at every entrance (endpoint) to your system, detecting and blocking suspicious activity before it can even reach your devices.

Why Do I Need Antivirus Software?

Antivirus software identifies, isolates and removes malicious software that might have already infected your devices. It scans files, programs and downloads to detect patterns or signatures known to belong to viruses, malware, ransomware or spyware. While a firewall works on traffic control at the network level, antivirus operates inside the system. It looks for threats that have already gotten through, whether via an email attachment, a USB drive or a compromised download. Effective network virus protection includes a robust antivirus system that automatically updates its threat database to defend against the latest known attacks. Without installing antivirus software, a secure firewall won’t protect you from willingly opening files or installing software containing hidden threats. Small business cyber security depends on having multiple layers of protection to guard your private data.

What are the Key Differences Between Firewall and Antivirus?

The differences between firewalls and antivirus software:

• A firewall controls network traffic received and transmitted to and from your system to stop unauthorized access
• Antivirus scans your system for malicious code and removes it if found
• Firewalls work proactively at the network level
• Antivirus software works reactively within the system after something has entered

Both are critical, but they serve very different roles in protecting your data and your clients’ sensitive information.

Q: What is the main difference between a firewall and antivirus software?

A: A firewall monitors and filters network traffic to prevent unauthorized access, while antivirus scans and removes malicious software already on your system. Both are essential but serve different functions.

Do You Need Both a Firewall and Antivirus for Full Protection?

The short answer: yes. Using one without the other leaves critical gaps in your security. Here's why:

• A firewall might stop suspicious incoming connections, but it won't stop you from downloading an infected file from a compromised website
• Antivirus will scan that file, but if you don’t have a firewall, hackers could exploit open network ports and drop malware directly into your system
• Cybercriminals are getting smarter and using blended threats that target both your network and your devices. You need both layers to address both entry points – they also use AI to help them with attacks

For businesses that handle sensitive client information or rely heavily on network connectivity, combining both tools isn't optional; it’s essential.

Q: Why does your small business need both firewall and antivirus protection?

A: Using only one leaves vulnerabilities. Firewalls block unauthorized traffic, while antivirus detects hidden threats from downloads or email attachments. Together, they provide full cyber defense.

How Can Managed Firewall Services Help?

Managing firewalls in-house can be time-consuming and complex, especially if you’re running a business. That’s where managed services come into play. These services involve outsourcing the configuration, monitoring and maintenance of your firewalls to a professional IT provider.

Here’s what you get with managed services:

• 24/7 monitoring to catch threats in real-time
• Regular updates to firewall rules as new threats emerge
• Expert configuration tailored to your business needs
• Log analysis and reporting for compliance and auditing

By trusting a professional to manage your network firewall security, you minimize the risk of human error, missed patches or misconfigured rules that could leave you vulnerable.

Q: How do managed firewall services benefit your business?

A: Managed services handle configuration, monitoring and updates for you. This ensures 24/7 protection, reduces risk from misconfigurations and helps keep your network secure without needing in-house expertise.

Can Antivirus Software Be Managed Too?

Yes. Many IT providers offer managed antivirus as part of a broader network virus protection solution. This includes automatic updates, centralized control, scheduled scans and alerts when a threat is detected. Managed antivirus services provide peace of mind. You don’t have to rely on employees to run scans or apply updates. Instead, everything is controlled from a single dashboard by a team that understands emerging threats and how to respond quickly.

Bundling managed antivirus with managed firewall creates a well-rounded security posture that protects both your network perimeter and internal systems.

The best antivirus solutions are those monitored by a live security operations center (SOC). When the system detects something unusual (such as increased network activity, large data downloads or uploads, activity at an unusual time), it alerts the human security team. They evaluate the threat and will let your IT professional know if something is happening and needs to be addressed. This reduces false alarms.

What Happens If You Rely on Only One?

Using only a firewall or only antivirus is like locking your front door but leaving the windows open. Without antivirus, you're exposed to threats that arrive through user actions, such as clicking a phishing email or installing unverified apps. Without a firewall, you’re vulnerable to constant network-level probing, brute force attacks or malware communicating with external servers. In short, using only one solution creates a false sense of security. Cyber threats are diverse and sophisticated, and relying on a single defense leaves too many avenues open to attackers.

Q: What happens if you rely on only a firewall or antivirus?

A: Using just one creates security gaps. For example, firewalls won’t stop infected files from being downloaded, and antivirus won’t block intrusions through open network ports. Both are needed for full protection.

Is There a Difference Between Personal and Business Protection Needs?

Absolutely. Personal devices often come with pre-installed antivirus and basic firewall software, which might be enough for home use. But if you're running a business, especially one that stores client data, processes payments or operates with remote teams, your risk is significantly higher. Businesses have what cybercriminals want – personal data to exploit or resell and financial account access.

Here’s items that business protection needs to scale:

• Customizable rules, something only advanced firewall computer protection offers
• Real-time, enterprise-grade antivirus that doesn’t just flag threats but removes them quickly
• Threat intelligence and incident response, which come standard with most managed firewall services

The cost of a breach, in terms of money and reputation, is much higher for businesses. Clients trust you with their data. You can’t afford to cut corners.

How Should You Choose the Right Solution?

The right protection for your business depends on:

• The size of your network and team
• The type of data you handle
• Compliance requirements in your industry
• Whether your team works remotely or in-office

You should look for integrated solutions that offer both network virus protection and firewall computer protection. Better yet, choose a provider that delivers everything under one roof, so you're not juggling multiple vendors or tools.

Do You Understand the Difference Between Firewall and Antivirus?

Understanding the difference between firewall and antivirus is key to building a strong cybersecurity foundation and state-of-the-art cyber threat protection. While each tool has its strengths, neither is enough on its own. Firewalls block unauthorized traffic before it gets in. Antivirus stops threats that have already found their way inside. If you care about your clients’ trust, your brand reputation and your operational continuity, investing in both is a smart move. Strengthen your defenses by choosing managed firewall services and managed antivirus as part of a complete IT security solution.