What is a Firewall? Definition, Purpose & Types of Network Firewalls

Both B2C and B2B companies can benefit from firewalls, as they protect companies from cyberattacks, which are becoming increasingly common.

Many companies store confidential data on their servers, and a firewall can help to protect this data from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. A firewall can also help to protect data from being stolen. 

Firewall Definition and Its History

Firewalls are designed to block or allow traffic based on predetermined security rules. These rules help to ensure that only authorized traffic is allowed through the firewall while keeping out any potentially harmful traffic. These firewalls included a variety of functions and capabilities, such as software-defined firewalls, internet security firewalls, proxy firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, user identity management, and web application firewall. 

The first firewall was designed in the late 1980s, and since then, it has evolved to become an essential part of network security. In 1993, Gil Shwed from Check Point Technologies introduced the first stateful inspection firewall, FireWall-1. In the year 2000, it was NetScreen that introduced Appliance, a purpose-built firewall. This gained mass appeal and was quickly adopted across different enterprises because it cost less, demonstrated less latency, and increased internet speed.

Types of Firewalls

The basic concept remains to filter out content in different ways. Each generation of firewall was introduced as an upgrade to the previous generation, though many of the core concepts were passed on from one generation of firewall to the next. 

The approach of a firewall is determined by whether it uses connection tracking, filtering rules, or audit logs. All these three approaches use what is known as the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, which is considered the standard model for communication and interaction between connections.

Static Packet-Filtering Firewall

 Also called stateless inspection firewalls, these static packet-filtering firewalls operate at the network layer of the OSI model. These firewalls offer basic filtering by checking all individual data packets sent across a network based on where they're from and attempting to go. Notably, previously accepted connections are not tracked. This extra layer of protection ensures that each connection must be approved again for sending a data packet.

Circuit-Level Gateway Firewall

Circuit-level gateways are firewalls that operate on the transport layer or layer 4. This firewall checks whether there are functional packets when a connection is attempted. If the packet operates well, then this firewall permits the two networks to make an open connection without further interference.

Stateful Inspection Firewall

Stateful inspection firewalls, sometimes called dynamic packet-filtering firewalls, can remember past connections and monitor ongoing ones. In the past, these firewalls only operated on the transport layer or layer 4, but nowadays, they can monitor many layers, including the application layer or layer 7. This makes them unique from static filters.

Proxy Firewall

Proxy firewalls, also known as application-level firewalls or layer 7 firewalls, are designed to read and filter application protocols. These firewalls combine application-level inspection, also known as deep packet inspection (DPI), and stateful inspection.

Next-Generation Firewall

As evolving threats become more sophisticated, next-generation firewalls are being designed to address these threats more effectively. A next-generation firewall (NGFW) combines traditional firewall features with network intrusion prevention systems, providing a more comprehensive solution to preventing dangers.

How Does a Firewall Work?

A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing traffic through the network. The firewall then creates a barrier that prevents an untrusted external network from communicating with a trusted internal network over the Internet. To do this, it depends on a predetermined set of security rules. 

When a firewall receives a data packet, the firewall checks the packet against its security rules. If the packet is allowed, the firewall forwards it to the destination. If the packet is not allowed, the firewall discards it. In this way, a firewall can help protect a network from malicious attacks.

What is the Purpose of a Firewall, and Do We Need a Firewall?

A firewall is a series of rules that dictate who can connect to the network and what data they can send and receive. It works by determining whether the requested IP address is on the approved list or not. If it is not, the firewall will block the request. 

A firewall can be configured to allow or deny access to any or all ports. It can also be configured to allow or deny traffic based on the type of traffic. For example, a firewall might allow traffic from authorized computers and deny traffic from unauthorized computers.

How Firewalls Protect You and Your Company

Network firewalls protect you and your company's computers and networks from unauthorized access by blocking incoming traffic. 

Web firewalls protect your company's websites and web applications from unauthorized access by blocking incoming traffic that is not associated with a known website or web application.

Firewalls can also protect your data from being stolen or manipulated. By blocking unauthorized access to your company's data, firewalls can prevent hackers from accessing your company's confidential information.

VPN vs. Firewall vs. Antivirus: Which Is More Secure?

VPNs are the most secure way to protect your data. They use strong encryption to keep your information hidden and safe. In addition, VPNs often have a strict no-logging policy, meaning that the company cannot track your activity. 

Firewall software is also a great way to keep your data safe. It helps block unwanted traffic from entering your device. And, like VPNs, firewall software often has a no-logging policy.

However, firewall software is not as secure as VPNs. Hackers can bypass firewall software, which does not always block all unwanted traffic. 

Antivirus software is also a great way to keep your data safe. Antivirus software scans your device for malicious software and viruses. It can then remove these threats from your device.

However, antivirus software is not as secure as VPNs or firewall software. Hackers can bypass antivirus software, which does not always protect your device from all threats.

Audit logs - invaluable for monitoring system security

Analyzing logs daily is a good practice, as it helps you investigate and identify potential security breaches. Learn how to access and interpret these logs to keep a watchful eye on the firewall's performance. 

So, if you're ever asked to disable your firewall, don't do it! It could make your computer vulnerable to brute force and DDOS attacks. Instead, consult your computer's documentation or contact your computer's manufacturer for more information.