VPN vs. Antivirus vs. Firewall – Which is the Best in 2024?

Samuel Walker  - Technology Policy Researcher
Last updated: January 15, 2024
Read time: 24 minutes
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Comparing VPN vs firewall vs antivirus won't suit your privacy since all three are equally essential. Learn more about these tools here.

THE TAKEAWAYS

VPN, firewall, and antivirus solutions comprise the core cybersecurity tools of today. But, none of them is a replacement for the other. Instead, each tool serves a different purpose. For example, while a VPN ensures digital privacy by hiding a user’s IP address and encrypting traffic, firewalls act as a barrier between the user’s device and the online cyber threats. Whereas antivirus tools work as device and network defenders, repelling and removing malware threats. Using all three of them with a complete understanding of their functioning is the key to remaining safe online. This guide explains it with a thorough comparison of VPN vs. antivirus vs. firewall.

People comparing the use of security tools like VPN, firewalls, and antivirus is quickly becoming an ever-growing trend online. Why? The virtual realm is stranger than fiction today, and every internet user like you needs to protect themselves.

As an internet user, you are a commodity in the virtual domain, and the significant entities reigning the internet thrive on your personal data. The ads you click are their income, and your preferences get compiled and collected to be sold to prominent names.

While it makes sense to use tools like VPNs, antivirus software, and firewalls to have a safer internet experience, many people are unaware of exactly what each tool does.

That is precisely what this guide is going to clear your mind. But first, let’s cover some fundamental security stuff that you need to be aware of, no matter what tool three you use to protect your security.

The most-ignored online threat

For most of us, we would instead find it helpful for the web to serve us with just what we were looking for, but does it all end up there? Let us take it from the top; when you log onto a site and search for your desired product or service, the site saves your search activity in the form of encrypted data called “cookies.”