In the modern hyper-connected world, protecting data and ensuring the safety of computer systems are the top concerns of companies. As cyber threats emerge, the need for advanced security mechanisms has also increased. One of the major elements of network security is a firewall in computer networks, which is a shield against unwanted cyber-attacks and unauthorized access. This blog is a complete guide to understanding firewalls and the benefits they provide to protect computer networks.
Understanding Firewall in Computer Networks
A firewall in computer networks is a system that is designed to prevent unauthorized access while allowing valid traffic to pass to the network. This network becomes a protective shield that analyses and monitors the incoming controls and the outgoing traffic from the network. The firewall becomes a barrier between the internal network and the unwanted external network.
Firewalls are implemented as hardware devices, software in the form of applications, or can be implemented as both. These firewalls can also filter the traffic based on different attributes like IP addresses, protocols, and ports. These features make the firewall a trusted network for every organization that is searching for the best solution to protect its digital assets.
How Firewall in Computer Network Works
A firewall in computer networks works by filtering the traffic according to some predefined rules. These rules define what type of traffic is allowed or denied in the network. These threats are transferred into a network through different units, which are based on factors like IP addresses, port numbers, and protocols.
Functioning of Firewalls
The firewall in a computer network has two types of functioning:
- Packet Filtering: In this method, the firewall analyses each packet passing through the network of the organization and either gives access or blocks it based on the rules. This is considered as the fastest form of firewall network.
- Stateful Inspection: This is considered an advanced method that keeps track of active connections and decides if a packet is a valid connection or not.
Types of Firewalls in Computer Networks
There is a wide range of firewalls in computer networks that are designed according to various business needs:
- A network firewall is a hardware firewall that is installed between two or more networks.
- Host-based firewalls are installed separately on individual computers to protect them from threats.
- A next-generation firewall is a combination of the traditional firewall with advanced features like intrusion prevention, deep packet inspection, and application control.
Benefits of Firewall in Computer Network
- Security: The major function of a firewall in a computer network is to restrict unauthorized access and protect the data from cyber attacks. It safe the data from hackers by blocking the access to internal networks. It also protects sensitive information, personal data, and other records.
- Traffic Monitoring: Firewall allows comprehensive monitoring of incoming and outgoing traffic. This helps the users to detect unusual activities and respond to threats quickly.
- Access Control: Users can set specific rules to define access to the networks, and this also ensures that only authorized users have access to confidential areas.
- Network Performance: Firewalls block unnecessary traffic and enhance the performance of a network and also prevent it from overloading.