Firewalls

A firewall is a software or hardware utility that is designed specifically for network security. It monitors all the incoming and outgoing traffic on the private network and makes sure that no unauthorized connection from the outside occurs.

Usually, this software is considered an extra layer of protection that helps keep hackers and other Internet threats at bay. As computer experts recommend, it should be used in conjunction with these security programs:

• Anti-virus software;
• Anti-spyware;
• other malware removal tools.

As cyber infections are becoming increasingly aggressive each day, a firewall has become a must-have utility capable of protecting computers and other devices from a variety of attacks. No matter that the most popular way to ensure protection is to obtain a reliable anti-virus system and keep it up to date, relying merely on these programs is rather naive and risky.

Some viruses are capable of bypassing even the most sophisticated virus-fighting tools and infiltrating the system without being noticed, so a firewall is considered another useful computer protection utility.

Types of firewalls

Firewalls are essential security tools that protect networks and computers from unauthorized access and cyber threats. They monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic and enforce security rules based on predetermined security policies. There are several types of firewalls, each designed to address different security needs and network configurations. This article explores the various types of firewalls and their functionalities.

Packet-filtering Firewalls

Packet-filtering firewalls operate at the network layer and inspect individual packets of data based on predefined rules, such as IP addresses, port numbers, and protocols. They provide basic security by allowing or blocking packets but do not inspect the content of the packets.

Stateful inspection Firewalls

Stateful inspection firewalls monitor the state of active connections and make decisions based on the context of the traffic. They track the state of network connections and filter packets accordingly, offering better security than packet-filtering firewalls by considering the overall context.

Proxy Firewalls

Proxy firewalls, also known as application-level gateways, operate at the application layer. They act as intermediaries between users and the internet, inspecting the entire message content and making security decisions based on the data. They provide high security by filtering traffic based on specific applications and protocols.

Next-generation Firewalls (NGFW)

Next-generation firewalls combine traditional firewall capabilities with additional features like deep packet inspection (DPI), intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and application awareness. They inspect packet contents, identify applications, and block threats in real-time, offering comprehensive protection against various threats.

Unified Threat Management (UTM) Firewalls

Unified threat management firewalls integrate multiple security features into a single device, including antivirus protection, anti-spam filtering, intrusion detection and prevention, VPN capabilities, and content filtering. They provide a comprehensive security solution for small and medium-sized businesses.

Cloud Firewalls

Cloud firewalls, or firewall-as-a-service (FaaS), are hosted in the cloud and provide firewall protection as a service. They offer scalability and flexibility, making them ideal for businesses relying on cloud services. Managed by third-party providers, they protect both on-premises and cloud-based resources.

How do Firewalls function

Firewalls function by monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. They act as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, such as the internet. When data packets attempt to enter or leave a network, the firewall examines them against a set of established rules.

These rules can include parameters like IP addresses, port numbers, protocols, and specific content patterns. If the data packets meet the criteria set by the rules, they are allowed to pass through. If they don't, the firewall blocks them, preventing potential threats from reaching the network.

In addition to basic filtering, advanced firewalls, such as stateful inspection firewalls, maintain a state table that tracks active connections. This allows them to make more informed decisions by considering the context of the traffic, rather than just individual packets. Proxy firewalls go a step further by acting as intermediaries that process requests on behalf of users, inspecting the entire message content.

Next-generation firewalls combine these functions with additional security features like intrusion prevention systems (IPS) and deep packet inspection (DPI), which analyze packet contents in detail and identify potential threats based on behavior and patterns. By using these methods, firewalls help protect networks from unauthorized access, cyberattacks, and other security threats.

Why is it necessary to equip your computer with a firewall?

Obtaining and setting up a firewall on your computer is an essential step, significantly adding to the security of your system. Of course, it does not ensure unconditional protection as cybercriminals are continuously improving their techniques.

Even though the purpose of the firewalls is to protect your computer from different Trojans, worms, and other infections by making the system virtually invisible to the infections, a lot of viruses these days manage to breach this security layer and infect the computers. That is why it is necessary to combine a firewall with other virus-fighting utilities such as antivirus, anti-spyware, and others.

Also, it is important to keep this software up to date, as it allows these utilities to perform to their fullest capacities. A stable operating system is another cornerstone of a safe and virus-free computer. Regular system updates ensure that the in-built protection features correspond to the latest security standards and that all of the system vulnerabilities are fixed and eliminated. Therefore, if you are still thinking about whether it is a good idea to install a firewall as an additional layer of protection, we encourage you not to hesitate and protect your computer without delay.