Firewalls are a type of technology designed to help protect networks, computers, or other devices from unauthorized access while allowing authorized communications. The act of configuring or managing firewalls falls under the umbrella terms of network security.
Firewalls are used to protect information stored on a network from malicious software or attempt to gain access. Firewalls commonly used can include both software and hardware components and can be implemented with the use of various protocols and technologies, such as IPsec, TLS/SSL, Sockets Layer, etc.
Firewalls are often used to filter the traffic that flows across a network and will block any communication that does not pass a certain level of risk assessment. Closed networks, such as those used in business environments, typically benefit from advanced firewalls. Open source systems, such as home networks, may use a basic firewall to block suspicious traffic while allowing legitimate communications.
The benefits of using firewalls in all networks include better security against malicious attacks, increased privacy, and much greater control over what type of information can be sent and received. Firewalls also reduce exposure to threats such as ransomware, malware, malware infections and the exploitation of system software weakness.
Firewalls are not foolproof, however, and can be compromised by advanced attackers. To address this vulnerability, firewalls are sometimes combined with other security measures, such as antivirus software and network monitoring tools. Firewalls can also be used in conjunction with intrusion detection systems and other network security measures.
