Whats the difference between a firewall and antivirus software? thanks?

A firewall is a program that sits in between you and the internet, it analyses incoming and outgoing traffic to try to intercept threats to your security. It's mainly looking for hacking attempts. As long as your internet connection is open its like an open door to hackers. A good firewall will make your pc invisible to most hackers. If they can't see you they can't break in.

Its not foolproof, so an anti virus, an anti trojan, an anti adware and an anti spyware are your next line of defence. They scan everything on your system looking for malware ( malicious software) that is installed or running.

Some security programs have 'real time' scanning so also watch for changes as they happen, like a firewall does.

You need a number of different security programs to deal woth different problems. Here are some good freeware ones.

Whats the difference between a firewall and antivirus software? thanks?symatec

A firewall stops crap getting onto your computer

An anti-virus deletes anything that gets through

...well thats what i reckon anyways :)

Whats the difference between a firewall and antivirus software? thanks?vista

a firewall is a piece of hardware and/or software which functions in a networked environment to prevent some communications forbidden by the security policy, analogous to the function of firewalls in building construction. AND 袗ntivirus software consists of computer programs that attempt to identify, thwart and eliminate computer viruses and other malicious software