a set top box with a firewall is disclosed . the set top box uses two separate ports to communicate with two respective communications networks . the first port communicates with the first network to receive programming information and the second port communicates with the second network to receive information . a firewall , in communication with one of the ports , is capable of receiving and analyzing information from the port . the firewall helps to prevent harmful or unauthorized information from reaching other components of the set top box . the firewall can receive information before other components associated with the set top box and the firewall can include various different forms of filtering .