Is Avast Firewall Better Than Windows?
Avast provides multiple layers of protection against viruses, worms, Trojans and spyware. Each component works together to shield your computer from various attacks that are happening every day over the Internet. Whereas, the firewall included with Windows XP provides basic network-protection capabilities for home users. Designed primarily to prevent unauthorized use of Internet connections by people on your local network, it can also protect PCs connected directly to the Internet or through a router.
But which one is better?
Avast is better than the Windows Firewall at protecting your computer against exploits, viruses and malware. Windows Firewall can also be used to protect against viruses and malware, but you need to manually change settings if you want it to.
Which One Should You Install?
If you play online games or run programs that require an internet connection to function properly, it’s highly recommended to use both firewalls for maximum protection. Otherwise, if you are not using any of these services or need more protection beyond what the Windows firewall offers, Avast firewall is good enough to protect your PC.
| Similarities | Differences |
| Both firewalls protect against exploits, viruses and malware. | Avast’s firewall is set up by default to monitor all traffic when connected through a router and public Wi-Fi hotspot. |
| Both firewalls can be used to protect against viruses and malware. | Windows’ firewall doesn’t monitor any inbound traffic when connected to a VPN connection profile |
| Both firewalls are installed automatically without any need for user intervention. | Avast provides multiple layers of protection against viruses, worms, Trojans and spyware. Each component works together to shield your computer from various attacks that are happening every day over the Internet. |
| Neither firewall is able to protect against keyloggers, trojans or other types of malware that require administrative privileges | Windows Firewall only monitors incoming connections when you’re connected directly to the Internet (or running VPN).Avast’s will monitor all traffic passing through your router as well as over a local network |
| Both firewalls can be exploited by malicious software. An exploit is a program designed to take advantage of a flaw (vulnerability) in an operating system and can allow the intruder unauthorized access and control over your computer. | Avast is better than the Windows Firewall at protecting your computer against exploits, viruses and malware. |
| Avast’s firewall will monitor all traffic passing through your router as well as over a local network (if you’re connected to one)While the Windows firewall only monitors incoming connections when you’re either connected directly to the Internet or running VPN. |
Avast Firewall
Installation Of Avast Firewall
Install the program and you’ll be prompted to choose a mode: Home, Work or Public. The first is your home network; the second, a small business network with one server; and finally, a public Wi-Fi hotspot. If you’re not sure which to choose, just leave it on Home.
You’ll be asked to unblock the firewall during installation if your antivirus software shows it as potentially dangerous. If you don’t want to allow Avast to manage the firewall, uncheck “Enable Firewall” at this time. Once finished, restart your PC.
Functionality of Avast Firewall
Avast has its firewall set up by default to work silently in the background without any need for user intervention. It’s very similar to Windows’ built-in firewall in that respect – but where Microsoft’s firewall only monitors incoming connections when you’re connected directly to the Internet (or running VPN), Avast’s will monitor all traffic passing through your router as well as over a local network.
Operating an Avast firewall is pretty easy. Whether it is to allow a program through Avast firewall [“How to Allow a Program Through Firewall” article to be placed here] or running the firewall to destroy some virus that attacked your device because of an ad.
Windows Firewall
It blocks unsolicited traffic sent by applications running on other computers within the same subnet as your PC and doesn’t allow any unsolicited inbound traffic at all when you’re using the VPN connection profile.
Installation of Windows Firewall
The firewall included with Windows XP provides basic network-protection capabilities for home users. Designed primarily to prevent unauthorized use of Internet connections by people on your local network, it can also protect PCs connected directly to the Internet or through a router.
It blocks unsolicited traffic sent by applications running on other computers within the same subnet as your PC and doesn’t allow any unsolicited inbound traffic at all when you’re using the VPN connection profile.
Functionality of Windows Firewall
Windows’ firewall is configured automatically during installation without any need for user intervention – but if you don’t want it to automatically block certain apps from accessing the Internet later on you’ll have to jump into its
Recommended Usage Of Each Firewall
Avast’s firewall is recommended to be used with other security software while Windows’ firewall should only be used to work in conjunction with security software if you’re using a VPN connection profile or playing games that require an internet connection to play properly.
If you don’t use these services or need more protection beyond what the built-in Windows firewall offers, it’s good enough to protect your PC on its own without needing additional security software running alongside it.
Conclusion
Avast is better than the Windows Firewall at protecting your computer against exploits, viruses and malware.
Windows Firewall can also be used to protect against viruses and malware, but you need to manually change settings if you want it to. If you use online services such as gaming or instant messaging programs, it’s highly recommended that you have both firewalls installed for maximum protection.
Otherwise, if you are not using any of these services or need more protection beyond what the Windows firewall offers, Avast firewall is good enough to protect your pc.
Windows Firewall only monitors incoming connections when you’re connected directly to the Internet (or running VPN), Avast’s will monitor all traffic passing through your router as well as over a local network
Avast’s firewall is set up by default to monitor all traffic when connected through a router and public Wi-Fi hotspot. While Windows’ firewall doesn’t monitor any inbound traffic when connected to a VPN connection profile.
