| Purpose | Monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic, based on defined rules | Detects, blocks, and removes or quarantines malicious software (viruses, malware) |
| Protection Scope | Network-level protection | File-level and system-level protection |
| Functionality | Controls network access and traffic based on rules and policies | Scans files, programs, and system processes for known malware signatures |
| Threat Detection | Analyzes network packets and filters traffic based on predefined rules | Scans files and processes for known malware signatures and behavioral patterns |
| Real-Time Protection | Provides network-level protection in real time | Provides real-time scanning and protection against malware |
| Malware Detection | Does not primarily focus on detecting specific malware | Focuses on detecting and identifying specific malware signatures |
| Updates | May require manual configuration and rule updates | Regularly updated with new virus definitions and detection algorithms |
| User Interaction | Less user interaction required, primarily operates in the background | May require user interaction for scans, quarantine decisions, etc. |
| Types | Can include network firewalls, host-based firewalls, or hardware firewalls | Can include traditional antivirus software, internet security suites, etc. |
| Complementary | Often used in conjunction with antivirus software for layered protection | Often used in conjunction with a firewall for comprehensive security |
