A firewall protects your computer network by monitoring incoming and outgoing data for signs of malware or unusual behavior. It serves as a gatekeeper, filtering traffic as it enters and exits your network. Unlike antivirus software, which scans devices for threats, a firewall is specifically focused on overseeing network traffic.
Firewalls operate in various ways to protect networks. The five main types include:
1. Stateless or Packet Filtering Firewall
2. Stateful Inspection Firewall
3. Circuit-Level Gateway
4. Application-Level Gateway
5. Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW)
How does a firewall work?
Firewalls work by inspecting packets of data and checking them for threats to enhance network security. They can check the contents of the data, the ports it uses to travel, and its origin to see if it poses a danger. Further, next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) use machine learning to detect patterns of data behavior that may signify anomalous—and dangerous—activity. These capabilities can prevent several kinds of attacks.
Backdoors | Denial of Service | Macros | Remote Logins | Spam | Viruses
Firewall vs. Antivirus
Firewalls and antivirus software provide different layers of protection against cyber threats.
A firewall controls incoming and outgoing network traffic to prevent unauthorized access.
Antivirus software scans devices and storage systems for existing malware, removing or quarantining threats.
History of a Firewall
Generation 1 firewalls—antivirus protection: in the 1980s.
Generation 2 firewalls—network protection: in the mid-1990s.
Generation 3 firewalls—applications: in the early 2000s.
Generation 4 firewalls—payload: Developed around 2010.
Generation 5 firewalls—large-scale protection: Around 2017
How to Pick the Best Firewall for Your business?
A firewall in a computer network should operate seamlessly within a comprehensive security framework that can span and adapt to your evolving needs. To save time and get the right firewall for your use case, identify the security features that are a priority for your network and organization. It’s critical to choose a firewall that can scale as your organization and network expand.https://www.fortinet.com/solutions/enterprise-midsize-business/network-security
How Fortinet Can Help:
FortiGate Next Generation Firewalls (NGFW) seamlessly integrates advanced networking and robust security, providing industry-leading threat protection and decryption with a custom ASIC architecture for superior performance and energy efficiency at scale.
For more information, please feel free to contact us.
