While a firewall and router can perform the same function in regards to directing inbound and outbound network traffic, that’s were the similarities end. A router is a fairly ‘dumb’ device. It doesn’t examine network traffic, it just directs it. A proper firewall will do deep packet inspection of the data coming in and going out of your network. It will have multiple layers of filtering. It will inspect traffic for viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing attempts. It will also have a content filter to prevent employees from accidentally going to virus or malware laden websites. It can also be used to cut down on employees downloading questions apps, games, or even prevent social media. It can be locked down per user, group, or even times during the day. It will be able to filter out spam emails and detect/prevent intrusions into your network. Our firewalls can even examine SSL encrypted traffic. They can block BitTorrent and streaming media if desired. All of these features can help ensure your network runs efficiently and without issues. It’s much better to be proactive than reactive.