A firewall controls the flow of traffic into and out of your network, blocking suspicious connections before they reach your systems. Antivirus software runs on your devices and detects, isolates, and removes malicious files like viruses and ransomware. One protects the perimeter of your business, while the other protects what’s inside; both are essential for real cybersecurity.
## Key Takeaways
- A firewall monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic
- Antivirus scans devices for malware, ransomware, and harmful software
- Firewalls act as perimeter defense; antivirus protects internal systems
- Relying on only one leaves gaps in your security
- Layered security is the standard approach for modern cybersecurity
- Small and mid-sized businesses are common targets for cyberattacks
Together, firewalls and antivirus create a layered defense that reduces risk and strengthens overall business protection.
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