The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.
The internet has changed a lot since I was a kid. Yes, I still remember the sound of the modem phone ringing and the little electronic pings signaling you were about to be connected to the world wide web! Now, everything from our laptops to our refrigerators can connect to the internet in the blink of an eye. In addition to new levels of connectivity, the changing technology has also brought new types of threat that kids of yesteryear didn’t have to worry about. Viruses, stolen identities, and malicious websites threaten internet users both young and old. Fortunately, products like the CUJO Smart Firewall make protecting your home internet quick and easy.
A lot of people might not think they use “computers” enough to need a firewall. But if you use a router to connect to the internet in ANY way, even if it’s just to play Candy Crush, you could use firewall protection. CUJO is a simple smart firewall that quickly and easily connects to your router to protect, not only your computers but all devices connected to that WiFi router. That means your iPads, smartphones, smart TVs and other internet-ready devices are all be protected with the CUJO Smart Firewall. Simply plug the CUJO into your router to get started – CUJO provides an ethernet cable to connect to your router. After connecting the CUJO to your router, you control it with an app using a smartphone that’s connected to the same WiFi network you want to protect.
The CUJO app identifies all the devices connected to the network automatically. (You can also manually identify the devices to help you remember each device.) With a 1GB built-in Ethernet, we saw zero effect in our internet connectivity speeds – even while playing video games or streaming movies. Using the app you can control whether specific devices can connect to the internet and control the CUJO protection settings.
The CUJO Smart Firewall app also allows you to set parental controls for all devices connected to the WiFI network. Using the CUJO app, you can create user profiles for every member of the house that controls the internet for each device on a surprising level. Websites can be allowed or blocked based on the type of site it is, such as gaming, shopping or religious websites. Parents can also pause the internet for a specific device using the app. (Great if someone is refusing to get off the iPad!) The internet activity for each user and device is also available for you to review. This is a great feature for parents who want to monitor your kid’s online activity to help keep them safe.
As a blogger and small business owner, it’s even more critical to have this business-level security to protect our internet. The CUJO device is small, compact, and the LED “eyes” are a fun way to show the status of the CUJO. The CUJO app allows you to easily see all the devices connected to your network and lets you shut down any unauthorized devices.
There are a lot of online threats these days. Even if you’re vigilant with internet security and antivirus software, it’s always good to have another layer of protection. I love that the CUJO detects, and blocks malicious sites, viruses and hacks before they even get to my computer. The CUJO Smart Firewall is now available at Best Buy for $249.
Erlene says
September 18, 2017 at 4:15 amThis is so neat. I had no idea that these even existed and it’s something I’ll need to look into. I love that it has parental controls and let’s me control what the kids can/cannot do on the internet.
robin rue says
September 18, 2017 at 5:23 amThis sounds like something I need to look more into. I think it sounds like a great way to keep my family safe online.
Amber Myers says
September 18, 2017 at 8:23 amI really need to pick this up for my home. My kids are always online, so this would help them to stay safe.
Mimi Green says
September 18, 2017 at 9:25 amCujo sounds like a good fit for my home. We have a ton of devices including two kids that use them. We have parental control but you can never be to safe.
Miriam Tirips says
September 18, 2017 at 5:17 pmAgreed! With the CUJO, you can set profiles for each child too! Great if you have kids of different ages with different online access needs.
Tomi C says
September 18, 2017 at 9:34 amOnline security is so important. With our kids gaining online access earlier and earlier they may visit sites unaware of the information that is being collected. CUJO sounds like an awesome products for a family like ours.
Miriam Tirips says
September 18, 2017 at 6:09 pmTotally. Internet security isn’t something that our kids are naturally taught. If they’re online, the CUJO is like a second set of eyes that makes sure they don’t go anywhere you don’t want them to.
Jeanette says
September 18, 2017 at 9:45 amThis is definitely something that we will be getting in our house. I am very concerned about the Internet with my child. I want to make sure that we stay safe.
denise says
September 18, 2017 at 11:25 amsounds like a smart device
candy says
September 18, 2017 at 11:33 amI have been seeing this coming up all over on the internet. Will be showing my entire family this. Can’t be to save when it comes to internet safety.
Sarah Bailey says
September 18, 2017 at 11:52 amThis sounds like such a smart way to protect your home network. I love that it is so easy to run and that you can turn off the net for certain devices haha!
Miriam Tirips says
September 18, 2017 at 6:08 pmFrom a parental perspective, I picture yelling at the kids to “cut off that iPad and go to sleep!” If they don’t listen, then you just cut it off with the CUJO! 🙂
TEresa says
September 18, 2017 at 12:45 pmI will have to investigate this – this is not the actual wifi service. This is additional protection in home only? We have a firewall that my husband built from scratch, and I wonder if this is better – I really like all the other capabilities that I don’t presently have – like monitoring where my son visits!
Miriam Tirips says
September 18, 2017 at 6:06 pmYup – it’s just a firewall device – there is no WiF service or subscription. This will protect all devices connected to your home network. To clarify – it won’t tell you the sites your son visits, but it will tell you if he visits a site he isn’t supposed to (ie a site you’ve blocked him from visiting.)
Liz Mays says
September 18, 2017 at 4:38 pmThis is going to be such a helpful system when you’re whole family needs internet access. Having that extra control and security is great.
rebekah says
September 18, 2017 at 4:40 pmIn today’s world, the Cujo is a must-have! I am definitely going to look into this!
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
September 18, 2017 at 5:41 pmOur router is pretty well protective when it comes to things like this. However, I like to know that everything is protected, and I’m not sure our phones are. That would be a question I’d need to ask my hubby.
Miriam Tirips says
September 18, 2017 at 5:57 pmWe were looking into getting a new router with a firewall for extra protection as well before getting the CUJO. I don’t know if any of them can protect all connected devices the same way, with the same level control, that CUJO does. Gil says a new router isn’t needed now that we have the CUJO. (Hubby is my IT guy too, LOL!)
Lisa says
September 18, 2017 at 8:48 pmI keep seeing articles about this handy little device. We have one and I love the security it offers.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
September 19, 2017 at 1:02 amI love the sound of some of those parental control features. As someone who’s had to go into their router to try and block things I can see where this would be really useful.
sara says
September 19, 2017 at 9:39 amI just bought a CUJO firewall but I have not installed it yet. I love the design, it looks great on my desk. I am happy to know that it will be protecting us!
liz Cleland says
September 19, 2017 at 12:44 pmWe got one after I was hacked. I never realized people could hack your internet but I learned real quick!
Angie says
September 19, 2017 at 2:28 pmOh man, I’ve been seeing this everywhere and it sounds so good. It’s also kind of cute, am I right? lol
Kita Bryant says
September 19, 2017 at 4:38 pmI have been seeing this everywhere lately. I am loving the sound of it. I could really use it.
Chubskulit Rose says
September 20, 2017 at 6:31 amI know that our TV is connected with our wifi but I can’t figure out how to use, only my kids can stream YouTube on it lol. I would love to get this cujo firewall for our system.