What is Firewall? How It Protects Your Network

Connecting computers and other devices to the web allows for unlimited possibilities in working, entertaining, and communicating; however, it opens up many ways to be subjected to cyber attacks. All interconnected laptops, smartphones, and servers constantly exchange information across the worldwide network. 

Without any protective shield, any unauthorized persons or malicious programs might easily get access to sensitive data. Learning about what is firewall protection will help one understand the significance of this crucial barrier protecting from cyber attacks.

Basics: What is a Firewall?

A firewall is a network security system that examines and controls all the incoming and outgoing network traffic according to pre-established security rules. 

It is located between a trusted internal network and an untrusted external network, which may be, for instance, the internet. The basic functions of firewalls are:

• Packet Inspection: Examining each data packet that enters and leaves the network according to pre-established safety standards.
• Connection Control: Blocking connections from suspicious IP addresses, untrusted sources, or unauthorized ports.
• Blocking Malicious Programs: Preventing malicious software from establishing connections with their command servers in case of infection of a computer.

Important Methods by Which Firewalls Protect Computer Networks

Today’s firewalls utilize several different filters to ensure the protection of computer networks:

• Packet Filters: They check each data packet individually and compare its origin, destination, and protocol to the existing security policies.
• Stateful Filters: These filters monitor all connections on the network and make sure the incoming data packets correspond to legitimate outgoing requests.
• Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): DPI is the inspection of the actual content inside the data packets for malware, vulnerabilities, or any unauthorized software.
• Next-Generation Features (NGFW): This approach combines traditional data filtering with intrusion prevention systems (IPS) and analysis of encrypted data.

Types of Firewalls

Depending on the environment, organizations use several types of firewalls:

• Hardware Firewalls: These devices are installed between the gateway and the Internet and are designed to protect all connected computers at once.
• Software Firewalls: Such firewall programs can be installed on individual laptops or computers.
• Cloud-Based Firewalls: These are virtual firewalls available in the Cloud.

Also Read: What is Threat Intelligence Cybersecurity? How Companies Predict Attacks

Conclusion

Being online without any network security measures makes the device easy prey for hackers and the theft of your personal information. To understand the concept of firewall security, you can see why constant inspection of the traffic helps you stay protected from any harmful actions. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)