What Is a Firewall?
Firewall is a computer network security tool that acts like a security guard to prevent cyber attacks and safeguards computers and devices from harm. Firewalls monitor and assess traffic based on predefined rules that determine whether or not the data can enter a protected network. Firewalls are used to protect private and business networks from cyberattacks, and to ensure that only valid and appropriate data makes it through the firewall.
A firewall consists of hardware and software that is inserted into a network connection. It is designed to vet and permit ongoing connections versus repeatedly reauthorizing each individual data packet. The firewall can also distinguish between malicious and benign activities by reading the contents of each data packet. Firewalls can be configured to provide a variety of security functions, including network segmentation, bandwidth prioritization, and application controls.
The first true firewall systems emerged in the early days of Internet use as networks became more complex and demanding new security methods. Today, firewalls are a vital component in protecting computer systems and networks.
Firewalls are an important part of cybersecurity protection, but they can also create bottlenecks and disrupt normal network activity. It’s important for network administrators to regularly review and optimize firewall rules in order to maintain optimal network speed. As a result, it’s common for organizations to deploy multiple types of firewall solutions to ensure that security and performance needs are met. Some of the most advanced next-generation firewalls combine packet filtering with other security features, such as unified threat management (UTM). These solutions can help manage the increasing volume of data that is flowing through networks.