The purpose of firewall software?

[shovenose]

Well, many routers/modems have a sort of bulilt in firewall. Also, all Windows and Mac OS X- based computers in the past 10 years have some sort of built in firewall.
So what is the purpose of a dedicated software firewall?

[Klinc]

Host intrusion. A thing avs don't have. Avs scan for signatures while firewalls follows a set of rules. A firewall is only as good as its rules set by the user. That's why they ask so much questions in the first week of install as they learn your setup and software. But once that's done they quiet down. Hips might save you one day as it can block zero day exploits and unknown stuff running on your pc without it telling you about it. Comodo firewall got a very good hips. Online armor and outpost as well and their all free

[shovenose]

I use Comodo Internet Security (AV+Firewall in one) mainly.

[Klinc]

I use Common Sense firewall

[shovenose]

While I usually use Avast! Free Antivurirus + Windows Firewall but right now I'm using Avast! Internet Security 20-day trial and I think that has a Firewall

[c_hegge]

Interestingly, Trend Micro Internet security no longer even has a firewall, nor does TM Titanium Internes Security.

[shovenose]

That's quite weird.