Firewall Systems
Firewalls limit traffic to and from the computer on which they're installed, or to which they're connected, if you're using a hardware firewall. Suspicious or unauthorized network activity can be detected and blocked, a key step in identifying Trojan viruses and hijacking attempts. Firewalls can, however, flag legitimate programs as having unauthorized access, requiring you to create security exceptions and modify some settings. They can also limit your computer's performance, as they must be constantly online in order to effectively secure your computer and network.
What are the different types of firewalls?
Here are five types of firewalls that have played significant roles as the firewall category has evolved:
- Packet filtering firewalls
- Circuit-level gateways
- Stateful inspection firewalls
- Application-level gateways
- Next-gen firewalls.
What is the purpose of a firewall?
Software firewalls are installed on your computer, like any software program, and you can customize it; allowing you some control over its function and features. A software firewall will protect your computer from outside attempts to control or gain access your computer.
Do firewalls protect against viruses?
The need of for Personal Use:
The main goal of a personal is to your personal computer and private network from malicious mischief. Malware, malicious software, is the primary threat to your home computer. are often the first type of malware that comes to mind.
What is firewall in easy language?
A firewall is a system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. You can implement a firewall in either hardware or software form, or a combination of both. Firewalls prevent unauthorized internet users from accessing private networks connected to the internet, especially intranets.
What Firewalls Do?
Basically, firewalls need to be able to perform the following tasks:
- Defend resources
- Validate access
- Manage and control network traffic
- Record and report on events
- Act as an intermediary
What is Personal Firewall?
It is important to understand why we need a firewall and how it helps us in the world of secure computing. We need to understand the goals of information security because it helps us to understand how a firewall may address those needs.
Why you need Personal Firewall?
In the age of high-speed Internet Access, you electronically connect your computer to a broad network over which, unless you have installed a personal firewall, you have limited control and from which you have limited protection. Until recently, unless you worked for an organization that provided high-speed internet access.
Like anything, the high-speed connection has its own drawbacks. Ironically, the very feature that makes a high-speed connection attractive is also the reason that makes it vulnerable. In a way, connecting to the internet via high-speed connection is like leaving the front door of your house open and unlocked. This is because high-speed Internet connections have the following features:
A constant IP - Make it easy for an intruder who has discovered your computer on the internet to find you again and again.
High-Speed Access - Means that the intruder can work much faster when trying to break into your computer.
Always active connection - means that your computer is vulnerable every time when it is connected to the internet.
Defending yourself with a Personal Firewall
So now you have an idea of how you are vulnerable every time when you are online on a high-speed Internet connection, compared to an ordinary 56Kbps connection. What you now need to know is how you can defend yourself against the threat posed by this type of connection
A Personal firewall is important when
- You surf the internet at home using an 'always on' broadband connection
- You connect to the internet via a public WiFi network in a park, cafe or airport
- You run a home network which needs to be kept isolated from the internet
- You wish to be kept informed when any program on your computer attempts to connect to the internet
- Most Personal Firewalls are highly configurable so you can easily create security policies to suit your individual needs.