🔐 Basic Information about Firewalls
📌 What is a Firewall?
- A firewall is either:
- A software program installed on a device, or
- A hardware device (like a router with firewall capabilities).
- Its purpose is to block unauthorized access to or from a private network by monitoring incoming and outgoing traffic.
- Firewalls help protect your computer from:
- Hackers
- Viruses
- Worms
- Unauthorized intrusions
🛡️ Why Firewalls Are Important
- If you use the internet, the first line of defense is a firewall.
- It acts as a security gate, filtering harmful traffic before it can cause damage.
🏠 Home Users
- Enable your system firewall (e.g., Windows Firewall or Mac Firewall).
- For homes with multiple computers, every device must be protected individually.
- Use a router with a built-in hardware firewall to protect your whole network.
🏢 Small Office / Home Office (SOHO) Networks
- Every computer in the network should have:
- A software firewall (e.g., Windows Defender Firewall, third-party antivirus firewalls).
- Network-wide protection through a hardware firewall/router.
- Software firewalls help limit virus spread if one machine is compromised.
🔧 Types of Firewalls
Type | Description |
---|---|
Hardware Firewall | Physical devices like routers that filter traffic before it reaches your computer. |
Software Firewall | Applications installed on a device that monitor and control network traffic. |
Network Firewall | Deployed at the network level in business environments to manage traffic between networks. |