Firewalla Purple Review: Is It The Best Firewall Device For Home?
Most people are not really mindful of their home network security, which is a risky mistake. If you’re one of them, remember that your home network is prone to attacks from cyber thieves, hackers, financial thieves, identity thieves, and other criminals.
In the past few years, children’s safety while staying online is a hot potato that has raised concern among parents who don’t have time to keep their kids under control.
Firewalla is a tech company focusing on solving cybersecurity problems like this, and their highlighted product, Firewalla Purple, has been a perfect device for every family because of its security and ability to protect children from online criminals.
This Firewall Purple review will discuss if it is actually an ideal home device for cybersecurity, looking at both the upsides and downsides.
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What is Firewalla?
Firewalla is a capable device that plugs into your router and protects your connected home from a host of network and internet threats. A firewall detects and blocks external access to your baby monitor, smart speaker or other connected devices, for instance.
Local network monitoring spots new devices as they connect, disables them as required, and warns you about devices exposed to the internet.
Parental controls and forced safe searching keep your kids away from the worst of the web, while built-in ad-blocking speeds up browsing on all your devices, and smart behavior monitoring alerts you to suspect apps or possibly compromised devices.
Despite all this power, Firewalla is easy to use, at least in a basic way. Its core features work largely automatically, without requiring any intervention at all, while straightforward Android and iOS apps can help you manage everything else.
Firewalla Purple Review
Like any other tech-based device, the Firewalla Purple has its own perks and penalties. To make this review post objective and helpful for you, we’ll dig into both the pros and cons and see which outweighs the latter.
Pros & Cons
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At first glance, we were extremely surprised that the Firewalla Purple is so tiny that it can fit into a back pocket. With dimensions of 3cm x 6cm x 9cm and weighing 110g, it’s just slightly bigger than a deck of playing cards. Yet, it packs an awful lot.
All connectors are located on one side and include two 1G Ethernet ports, an unused USB Type-A port, and the USB Type-C port used to supply power.
A micro-SD socket and a reset button accessible through a pinhole are located on the opposite side. The Purple box is very light and has four rubber feet. Two LEDs located on either side of the case give the status at all times.
The setup of the Purple firewall is based around Firewalla’s mobile application which exists for both Apple and Android ecosystems. Once downloaded, the user first selects the type of product used and goes through a pairing process.
The app will then search the firewall using Bluetooth and validate the device using a QR code located at the back of the unit. The whole process usually takes no more than five minutes to complete.
The firewall can work either as a router or as a bridge. The main difference is that IP address and other network information will be issued from Firewalla’s unit if it is a router.
A bridge, on the other hand, will forward network requests to a separate router. The Purple box as a router allows more control over a network. It is the recommended mode but tends to be more complicated to set up.
Where the purple firewall really shines is how simple it is to view, enable and adjust features. It only takes a couple of button presses to activate the built-in AD blocker.
Another good example is testing for open ports that might offer hackers a way to enter the network. Again, a single press allows testing for open ports. Other useful features that are baked in Firewalla’s Purple box are VPN client and server, DNS over HTTPS, and family filters.
However, the sheer number of options within the Firewalla app can be dizzying to take in. And while basic features like ad blocking and parental controls are all pretty easy to use, a significant number of features require a deeper level of home networking know-how, or at least a willingness to read up on topics that can be a pain to wrap your brain around.
How to install Firewalla Purple
It takes Firewalla a long time to make the installation and setup of its products easier for users. Yet, those new to this type of device may find the process a bit complex.
First, you’ll need to download the Firewalla app which is supported by either Apple or Android, then plug in the device to its power source. Next, plug in your connection's ethernet cord and follow the step-by-step setup instructions on the app.
Pricing & promo codes
Firewalla has three different versions in three different colors: Gold ($485), Blue Plus ($189), and Purple ($329). We know the price is slightly steep for a provided hardware. Yet, unlike other competitors, there's no ongoing subscription cost; you pay once only, and it's yours for life.
Also, you should think of the disastrous consequences if data loss unfortunately happens. It’s the last thing you want, so an investment in a cybersecurity device that can protect your kids and your important documents is worthwhile.
Not to mention that you can use a Firewalla promo code at the checkout to reduce your total cost and save a little extra money! Check out this Firewalla couponing guide for more useful tips on saving money at this website.
Firewalla customer support
For a company that got their start leveraging crowd-funding for their products, their level of Help and Support is phenomenal.
It’s well-known that the innovation and development of Firewalla’s products are impressive, but the way their customer support has evolved and improved over the years is no less impressive.
Their support services includes a help center, a reddit community where you can get a lot of information, router compatibility lookup, install guides, user manuals, app download helps, troubleshooting guides, and your basic contact help support tickets.
Indeed, we tend to reach out to brands that take customer satisfaction into account either before or after-purchase and stand behind their products. This hallmark trait is important as it means the company can fulfill their promise.
All Firewalla hardware (Purple included) is backed by a limited one year manufacturer’s warranty. In the scope of hardware devices, a one year warranty is pretty good.
Yet, it doesn’t mean you can beat the crap out of the device. It’s a Limited Warranty under normal use and service. They also have a decent return policy as well (30 days).
But if you don’t buy directly from Firewalla.com but from Amazon, Indiegogo, or another reseller, you will have to follow those store policies on returns and refunds.
The verdict
Cyber nefarious offenders are a constant occurrence in the digital world today; they will never go away. The only way to fight against them is to equip your data with the best firewall device for home.
The Firewalla Purple is ideal for protecting and monitoring your home network. This clever and innovative device also gives you all the visibility, control, and protection that a premium hardware firewall device should.