Most of the time, people use a hardware firewall without even realizing it. Too many hardware firewalls exist to name them all, but most of them use the same basic idea to protect Internet users from bad software. Hardware firewalls are a good way to protect your computer, but they work best when used with other security methods.
What Is Firewall Hardware?
A physical firewall device, also called firewall hardware, is an appliance that sits between the uplink and the client system and filters the traffic based on security policies, user profiles, and business rules that have already been set up. The uplink is where traffic from public or private networks comes in, while the client system can be a server, an employee’s desktop, a WFH system, an IoT node, etc.
Identification
CyberCoyote says that when people talk about hardware firewalls, they are really talking about routers, which are built-in firewalls. A computer that is connected to a router is given an IP address by the router, which uses its own IP address to direct traffic. So, it is much harder to target a specific computer that is behind a router than one that is connected directly.
Types
All routers have hardware parts that act like firewalls. Linksys is a well-known company that makes routers. FirewallGuide says that there are, however, more expensive routers that are made by the same companies that make basic routers and have specific features to stop malicious users from attacking. True hardware firewalls, like the Linksys WRV200, use a method called “Stateful Pack Inspection” (SPI). SPI protection looks at the information that is being sent over the network to see if it contains any harmful code. Simple routers can only block certain ports and addresses.
Disadvantage
Hardware firewalls are very good at keeping viruses and worms from infecting a single computer. CyberCoyote says that one problem with routers is that they make it easier for malicious software to spread to other computers on the network if one computer connected to them gets “malware” like a virus from a download than if they were on separate connections.
Prevention/Solution
A wired or wireless router is a good example of a hardware firewall. However, FirewallGuide says that network administrators usually recommend a combination of a software firewall, anti-virus software, and a hardware firewall because other computers on the network are more likely to be vulnerable. When used together, software and hardware can make up for each other’s flaws and give the best protection all around.
Warning
Malware and viruses can get into a computer no matter what hardware or software is used to protect it. Hackers and other bad people are always coming up with new ways to break into a computer’s security system. As of 2009, people can put together a very safe computer security system for less than $200. This also needs the latest definitions and information from security vendors, which must be downloaded.
Different Hardware Firewall
A hardware firewall can be bought from many different places. The type of hardware and the company that makes it depend on what an organization needs.
Before deciding on a Firewall, there are a lot of things to think about.
- How well the computer network needs to be protected.
- The area where the company does business. For example, if it’s in the defense industry, it needs the most advanced Firewall to stop any leaks of data that could affect national security.
- The amount of money that can be spent on putting up the firewall.
- How many people are needed to keep the Firewall running.
- The reputation of the vendors for reliability and customer service after the sale.
- The ability to get updates often.
There are many kinds of hardware firewalls. Here is a list of the biggest and most popular companies that sell hardware firewalls to businesses that want to protect their data from being leaked or stolen.
- PIX Firewall from CISCO.
- Checkpoint.
- The iForce VPN/Firewall from Sun.
- Fortinet.
- Watchguard.
- Sophos.
- Forcepoint.
- Juniper SRX.
- D-Link and Linksys for home systems.
- Sidewinder G2.
- ALL Sonic.
- Palo Alto.
- Fortinet.
- Barracuda Firewall NEXTGEN.
Top 10 firewall hardware devices 2022
Depending on your needs, you can choose from a number of firewall appliances. The network security firewall market is worth billions of dollars and is expected to reach $10.5 billion by 2025. There are options for protecting WFH networks, smart devices, small business websites, stopping enterprise threats, and everything in between.
This list of the top ten firewall hardware devices includes the best options for the most common uses (arranged in alphabetical order).
1. Bitdefender BOX
Overview: A complete firewall hardware solution for your home office and personal devices, including free software (Bitdefender Total Security) and free installation, setup, and shipping.
2. Firepower from Cisco
Overview: Cisco’s Firepower series is an upgrade from the reliable ASA appliances. It is a next-generation firewall (NGFW) that focuses on threats and protects enterprise networks from sophisticated cyberattacks. It comes in different versions that can handle data transfers between 890 Mbps and 190 Gbps.
3. Smart Internet Security Firewall CUJO AI
Overview: This solution is an AI-powered firewall appliance that protects your home office from network-based threats. It is based on CUJO’s exclusive AI and ML innovations and its experience working with telecom carriers.
4. Fortinet FortiGate® 6000F Series
Fortinet’s FortiGate is a high-performance Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) device for large businesses and service providers. It has built-in SD-WAN, encrypted IPSEC tunnels, and different deployment options.
5. Netgear ProSAFE
Overview: Netgear is a business-class firewall and VPN solution that protects network access between HQ locations, remote offices, branches, and WFH workers.
6. The Palo Alto Networks PA-7000 Series
This is an enterprise-grade firewall hardware device that works with Microsoft Azure Directory, Citrix, and other popular IT infrastructure parts. It is similar to the Fortinet FortiGate.
7. Appliances for Netgate pfSense Security Gateway
Overview: An open-source firewall software company called pfSense and a cybersecurity company called Netgate worked together to make this firewall hardware device solution.
8. SonicWall Firewalls for Network Security
A quick look at a variety of firewall hardware devices for small and medium-sized businesses, mid-sized businesses, large organizations (including data center operators), and service providers.
9. Sophos XG Firewall
Sophos is a powerful firewall solution that, like NetGear ProSAFE, makes it safe for data to move between HQW locations and remote offices. It also has a single point of control for both public and private clouds.
10. Firebox WatchGuard (T35 and T55)
Overview: WatchGuard is a hardware firewall for small offices and sites that works on its own. It has all the features you’d expect from a unified threat management solution.