A SIMPLE WAY TO GUARD YOUR PRIVACY

Smart home devices make our lives better, but they also leave gaping security holes for hackers to exploit. Devices like robotic vacuums, smart outlets and baby monitor cameras have all been used to hack into home networks. Security solutions are confusing, so I went on a quest for simplicity, which led me to Firewalla. There are similar devices, but Firewalla looked to be the most affordable and easiest to use. So, I tested it out. Here’s what I found.

How it works

Firewalla acts as a gatekeeper between your router and your devices. All activity running from your router to your devices is first processed through Firewalla, its cloud and its smartphone app. It also monitors all the devices connected to your network.

What it does

I was amazed at all the things Firewalla could do. It automatically detects and blocks malicious or abnormal activity, plugs open ports in your network, blocks ads and inappropriate content, and even provides a free virtual private network (VPN) that you can access when you’re working away from home. For such a small device, it gives you enormous control.

Easy to install

What I really love about Firewalla is how easy it is to install. You just plug it into an outlet and then plug it into your home router (the ethernet cable comes with Firewalla). Download the Firewalla app on your smartphone, open it, and then scan the QR code underneath the Firewalla device to connect it. Firewalla takes it from there. The company provides online resources to help you if you get lost.

User-friendly app

Everything is laid out on the app in a simple, easy to understand way.

None of the features are hard to find. From ad block to family protect, many of the options are clear and quick to set up. Each feature also has a brief explanation of what it does and a link to more information about the feature.

Devices can be hard to identify

Identifying devices on the network isn’t always simple. Main devices, like smartphones and laptops, are clearly labeled and easy to find. Other devices often have unrecognizable titles and numbers. This requires some detective work. One way to identify each device is to turn it off and then back on. Firewalla will tell you a new device has come on to the network, letting you locate the device. You can then label it accordingly.

Excellent protection for your network

After using Firewalla, I’m a fan. It detected open ports and abnormal activity that I was then able to block. It’s affordable and easy to use and gives me extra peace of mind as I use my smart home devices. It’s available online from $109 to $179.