When it comes to keeping a computer
and all of its files safe, there's not much you can do on your own. To
ensure maximum network security, the system needs to utilize a firewall to keep
unwanted visitors out and away from sensitive information.
Not sure what a firewall is or is
one already in use on your network? Keep reading to find out!
What is a firewall?
For a long time, firewalls were the
first line of defense in network security. The term firewall is a metaphor
used to compare a type of physical barrier placed to limit the damage that a
fire can cause, with a virtual barrier that limits the damage that a
cyberattack can cause.
Firewall history
Firewalls have been around since the
late 1980s and started out as packet filters, which were networks created to
examine packets, or bytes, transferred between computers.
Although packet firewall filters are
still used today, they have evolved a lot with the development of technology
over the decades. Understanding where firewall filters started and where
they are now can help you assess the right solution for each organization.
- The first generation of
firewalls was
connection-oriented, designed to protect against unstructured and
untargeted attacks.
- The second generation of
firewalls was
content-oriented, designed to protect against single-stage, targeted
attacks.
- Third-generation firewalls are intent-oriented,
designed to first determine the intent of an attack and then leverage
appropriate countermeasures.
As cyber threats and attacks
continue to evolve, so does the intelligence and security offered by
next-generation firewall solutions.
How does a firewall work?
Firewalls establish a barrier
between protected and controlled networks, whether they are trusted or
untrusted, such as the Internet. The tool isolates the computer from the
Internet while inspecting the data packet. It then determines what should
be allowed to pass or be blocked.
Incoming traffic is analyzed based
on predefined rules and is carefully filtered from unsafe or malicious sources
to prevent an attack.
And while they look complex, they
are relatively easy to install and configure, depending on the firewall
software you choose to use. It is responsible for verifying the source and
destination IP address on all packets while filtering packets sent from a
malicious source.
Firewall types
Firewalls can be software or
hardware, depending on the type. The software version is installed on a
computer to regulate traffic through port numbers and applications. A
hardware version is an equipment installed between the network and the gateway.
Know the types of firewalls.
A proxy
firewall is a gateway from one network to
another aimed at a specific application. They provide additional
functionality such as content caching and enhanced security by preventing
connections from outside the network.
Proxy firewalls filter traffic,
acting as an intermediary between the two end systems. One advantage of
using a proxy firewall is that any machine outside the protected network can
only collect specific information about the network since they are never
directly connected to it.
Stateful
inspection firewall:
These are generally considered a “traditional ” firewall, as they allow or
block traffic based on state, port, and protocol. These firewalls work to
monitor all activity from the moment a connection is opened until it is fully
closed.
Next-Generation
Firewall (NGFW): NGFW
utilizes traditional firewall technology and combines it with other
functionality such as encrypted traffic inspection, intrusion prevention
systems, cloud-delivered threat intelligence, antivirus software, and more.
They block modern threats such as
advanced malware and application-layer attacks and can detect them in seconds,
allowing a user to act quickly and prevent as much damage as possible.
Firewall with unified threat
management (UTM) combines stateful inspection with antivirus measures. These
firewalls can often include cloud management as they focus on simplicity and
ease of use.
Threat
Focused Firewall: Includes
all the features and functionality of an NGFW, while providing advanced threat
detection and mediation. These firewalls deliver high data to the user and
can better detect suspicious activity.
Network
Address Translation Firewall:
Enables multiple devices, with their own network addresses, to connect to the
Internet using one IP address, keeping individual IP addresses hidden.
A firewall is the
centerpiece of your organization's security. Today, having a
firewall-protected network, as well as an elaborate network setup, is a
necessity. Being hacked or being safe depends on the strength of your firewall
solution.