What is Firewall ? what is firewall used for in a Network ?

Introduction to Firewall

Security –  One of the biggest needs of a human and not just in the offline world but even in the online world.

We as humans always want to stay protected from entities that might cause harm to us. I mean, that is exactly the reason we install locks on the doors of our houses, right? And that is exactly our need in the online world as well.

With such huge advancements in technology, people have become more and more dependent on the internet and the devices that connect them to the internet. Be it from remembering your passwords, to holding your confidential data to even undergoing your financial transactions.

All of this is done by the internet in the present day. But, did you ever think, that you might just be doing all these transactions and holding your confidential data without installing a lock of its own? That’s right! Believe it or not, but if you haven’t paid any special interest on firewalls, you might just be exposing your jewelry like precious data to robbers that are present all over the internet.

This data includes your email passwords, credit card passwords, your important work data, and your every other internet account that you have ever created. Imagine being that careless!

And if you think that simply putting a password on your device is going to protect your data, then you, my friend might want to burst your bubble.

But, worry not! Because after all, never late than ever, right?

In this article, we will talk about the most important aspect of the Internet and networking – that is, Security AKA Firewall.

What is Firewall?

A firewall is a security device that could be both hardware or software which helps you protect your network by filtering traffic and blocking outsiders from gaining unauthorized access to the private data on your computer. In simpler terms, a firewall is a networking tool that provides security to your data by controlling the networks you are connected to.

And that is not it. A firewall does so much more for you. For starters, it does not only block malicious content from entering your network but also stops softwares that can infect your data from being installed on your computer. It provides you with different levels of protection by determining how much you need it.

But the important question is, how does  FIREWALL do ALL OF THIS? How can a simple device protect your confidential data from literally every suspicious entity on the Internet? Well, let’s deconstruct its process.

What is firewall use for? (Why use firewall)

Let’s first understand deeply how Firewall filters data from your network. On being added to the network, a firewall starts acting as a barrier.

Image reference: wikipedia

It does this by thoroughly analyzing every data packet that enters your network based on a given set of rules.

If a particular data packet passes this security checklist of rules, it gets easily transferred. But, if a data packet is questionable based on even a single rule, it is immediately blocked and the firewall user is asked to review it in order to further process this said data packet.

So, If any data packet has to be easily transferred through a firewall, it has to be sent from a verified or trusted source or IP address.

But not all firewalls deal with data transmission and security in the same format. The process of reviewing data packets is variable based on the type of firewall you are using.

There are multiple types of firewalls. Let’s look at some of them.

Types of firewall

Firstly there are 2 types of firewalls based on their physical state. One is a software firewall, which is internal and the second one is a hardware firewall like broadband or router. These 2 firewalls are further divided into various other subtypes that use different formats in order to provide security to your network.

The following are the subtypes of firewalls:

1. Packet-filtering firewalls
2. Proxy service firewalls
3. Stateful multi-layer inspection (SMLI) firewalls
4. Unified threat management (UTM) firewalls
5. Next-generation firewalls (NGFW)
6. Network address translation (NAT) firewalls
7. Virtual firewalls

All these types of firewalls are ultimately used to protect your confidential data in your network but use different means to do so.

We’re sure that until now you might be convinced about using a firewall to protect your data from hackers and stealers. But if you are still confused about why you need a firewall in your system Let us list down the advantages for you.

Advantages of using a firewall

Here is a detailed list of using a well-managed firewall for your network in order to protect the data that you have stored on your device and secure your online presence on the internet.

1. It very well Monitors your Network Traffic
2. It efficiently Stops Virus Attacks
3. It prevents hacking of your devices and accounts
4. It stops spyware from entering your systems
5. It promotes your online privacy and data confidentiality
6. It provides technologically updated threat protection
7. The versatility of firewalls allows you to find a perfect fit for your personal network
8. It does not affect your network speed
9. The setup of firewalls is easy and effective

And these are not! There are so many more advantages of using a firewall in your network. Most of them being – for the betterment and the sake of your own protection. Online threats and attacks are leveling up at an unprecedented pace.

You never know when you might be the next target of a malicious entity present on the internet. And thus, you always need to keep up your technological defenses. And with a great firewall, you can do just that!

Some of the top firewalls that you can install are:

1. Bitdefender BOX
2. Cisco Firepower
3. CUJO AI Smart Internet Security Firewall
4. Fortinet FortiGate® 6000F Series
5. Netgear ProSAFE
6. Palo Alto Networks PA-7000 Series

see also: What is Cybersecurity? Everything You Need to Know

Let us know what you think about Firewall in the comment section below!

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References:

norton and fortinet