Ethernet vs Wireless Router

Does using a ethernet cable vs using wireless router protect you from malware?
NO

If you have a Router for Ethernet or Wireless with a Firewall (is just a basic protection), this will help you to protect your Network little bit more.

But remember you will still need an Antivirus and Firewall for your Clients. I use Panda Cloud & Windows Firewall.

You can also read this:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/Digital_Living/Software/A_1958-MALWARE-An-Ounce-of-Prevention.html

The benefit of wired connections versus wireless is primarily the prevention of unauthorized users from accessing your system.  To achieve this benefit, you'd have to disable all wireless access.  Unauthorized users can certainly expose you to attacks, data loss or other security issues.  Wireless routers have security protocols available to limit this risk but the protocols are not 100% effective, especially considering that the end-user implementation is often poor or non-existent.

...RG

Does using a ethernet cable vs using wireless router protect you from malware?
Answered adequately above. No difference in protection--both types of connections provide network connectivity to router.

Do ethernet connections give you direct connections at the the bios boot?
What do you mean? The BIOS boot of the client pc? Are you wanting some quick ROM-based environment such as SplashTop to work? If so, you will need hard-wired ethernet and NOT wireless b/c the wireless drivers haven't loaded yet.

What kind of benefits can I get using a ethernet vs a wireless router for protection from vulnerbilities?
Again, there is no benefit unless you disable ALL wireless devices as RG noted above. If ALL wireless is disabled, an attacker would have to physically (hard-wired) connect to your network. However, you do give up a LOT of convenience with wireless printers, laptops, wi-fi phones and tablets, and guests at your house. Also, a lot of game consoles and other entertainment devices use wireless.

Personally, I use wireless A LOT. But I protect it using WPA2 with a decent password.

Lee

I use wireless on my laptop and strongly protected as suggested by Lee above. However I have a wired ethernet cord readily available. Why?  When copying vast amounts of data or very big machines, wired is a lot, lot faster.

Otherwise I secure both machines with the same excellent AntiVirus/Firewall suite and protect the main router input using its firewall protection.  

So given some ordinary common sense practice, wireless is just fine. It allows me to move my laptop around a lot (which I do).

.... Thinkpads_User

I think its great.

I think its great.