This article is “What is Network Firewall? Types of Network Firewall and its advantages” will tell you everything about the network firewalls. Either you are a student or professional, you will get all the answers related to the firewalls. You will know the types of firewalls, How firewall works, what are the advantages of firewalls, What are the firewall software and brand, and at the end, we will discuss few FAQs related to the firewalls. So let’s start and you can ask us via comment if you have any question:
These days everything is online, due to which cybercrimes are also happening at a fast rate. The Internet is disposed of by various threats. Any institute or any individual who render their systems on the internet, have to attempt defense to their resources and information by applying suitable methods to avoid these threats. Firewalls are one of them. So this article is all about network firewalls.
What is a Firewall?
A firewall is a kind of cybersecurity tool that is deployed to filter traffic on a network. Firewalls can be used to detached network nodes from exterior traffic sources, internal traffic sources, or even detailed applications. Firewalls can be hardware, software, and cloud-based. The main objective is to block malicious traffic requests and data packets while permitting authentic traffic through.
What is a Network firewall?
The first line of protection for traffic that crosses inside the network is called a Network firewall. The firewall inspects traffic to safeguard it meets the security necessities set by the organization, and unlawful access shots are obstructed. In recent times, firewall protection has grabbed much attention. In addition to watching internet traffic, the newest network firewall security products include a wide range of surplus features.
What network firewalls do?
- Filter internet transmissions,
- Integration of threat defense and intelligence.
- Follows policies and decisions.
Types of network firewalls
IP communication relies on various factors like source, destination, IP addresses, protocols and ports, and URLs. Network firewall analyses the traffic for knowing whether the packets can peep inside the internal network which is based on destination, source, protocols, and ports.
Packet filtering
Packet filtering is the oldest firewall. This firewall has lots of advantages. The packet filter evaluates the data packets that come via the router. With the help of this filter, source IP address, destination IP address, source port, destination port, and packet type. It impacts the general information without impacting the actual packet content. You can also filter to permit or not permit the packets from specific IP addresses depending upon the configuration of the firewall.
A packet filtering firewall is so simple to use. It works best if it is deployed integrated with another system.
Circuit-level gateway
Circuit level gateway is somewhat similar to packet filter. They work by measuring the transmission control protocol (TCP). This valuation regulates whether the packet is from a genuine session. What does this look like? A circuit-level gateway firewall set up on the network, all packets that are leaving the network appear to have come from that gateway which prohibits direct connections with the trusted network and the untrusted network.
Proxy Server Firewall
A proxy server firewall is considered the most secure firewall. It doesn’t allow direct contact. It can examine the entire network packet. This can retrieve the information about malicious content, simply by checking the packet information. You can set up a proxy server for blocking the access to different websites and filter certain port traffic to protect your internal network.
Web application firewall
A web application firewall is somewhat similar to a proxy server. Client computer Example1 makes a connection with the application gateway. Then, the application gateway chooses if the interaction between the devices should be accepted or not. If accepted, a linking is made to outside computer Example2. All info goes through two networks – client computer Example1 to application gateway and application gateway to outside computer Example2The application gateway examines all traffic before sending it on. Much like a proxy server, the application gateway IP address is the only one seen by the outside, so the internal network stays hidden.
How does a network firewall work?
The role of the firewall is to control and constantly check out the incoming as well as the outgoing traffic. It completely differs from the simple traffic analyzer in that a network administrator or security manager can regulate that traffic.
Network firewall security working in real life
Let’s say you work at an association with 1000 employees. In case if you don’t deploy the firewall then those 1000 computers can be easily available to any hacker. After that hackers can easily gather relevant information and harm the network.
What hackers do if there is no firewall?
- They can get remote login and get the files running on your system.
- There should be an email bomb, it means a huge quantity of emails is bombarded to your system. These are hard to handle.
- There can be a DOS problem. This is a common tactic that uses brute force. A hacker sends a request to open a session with a server. That server can’t be found. The destination server is soon overawed by these insoluble session requests – typically resulting in a system crash.
- The occurrence of viruses. It can destroy the data to a great extent.
If a business has a good firewall setup, each device linked to the internet would have a line of protection that implements particular security rules.
Firewall Software
Those firewalls which are deployed for inspecting the data coming to the computer network as well the outgoing data from the computer are known as firewall software. The main purpose of its usage is to detect the data. If the data has modified, it immediately blocks the malicious data.
Firewall Brands
There are numerous firewall brands, you have to choose it depending upon its features. The main feature on the basis of which you can pick a relevant firewall for you is as under:-
- It should control unwanted access to your system.
- The firewall should be cost-effective.
- Prevent the system from threats.
The firewall brands which are highly recommended to use are:-
Fortinet, CheckPoint, WatchGuard, Cisco, ForcePoint, etc. There are other brands as well. It all depends upon your system needs which go well with your system.
What is the next generation Firewalls?
The deep-packet inspection firewall that leads ahead port/protocol inspection and blocking to add intrusions prevention, application-level inspection from outside the firewall is next-generation firewalls. Threats to personal devices like PC, desktops, and larger networks are modifying every day.
Firewalls are the need for any business. In today’s environment, having a next-generation firewall is almost as important. It is a flexible kind of software that has the capability to protect devices and companies from intrusions.
Wrapping it up
Firewalls are a grown-up security technology but they’re still extremely significant when it comes to shielding your device. They’re an indispensable step to help prevent malicious attacks. Every commercial or application services visible on the internet will have its security necessities based on the functionality. A comprehensive study and possibility analysis must be done before applying the most fitting of security control systems.
Frequently Asked Questions on Firewalls
Ques 1: Why would I need a firewall?
Ans:- The internet is dogged with unwanted issues that can lead the private information of any organization or individual into big trouble. Daily lots of cyber-attacks are happening and private information gets hacked by the hackers. So here the firewalls work efficiently. A firewall provides not only real security–it frequently plays a significant role as a security blanket for the organization. Firewalls work as the corporate representative to the internet.
Ques 2 Are firewalls hardware or software?
Ans:- Firewalls can be either a hardware appliance or a piece of software that runs on a machine. So, the answer is both. In Software firewalls, the protection against the individual machine it’s installed upon, typically a laptop or PC. On the other hand, hardware firewalls usually protect many machines or an entire network.
Ques 3: What are Hardware firewalls?
Ans: The firewalls that can be purchased as a stand-alone product but are also characteristically found in broadband routers. It should be measured as a significant part of your system and network set-up. Most hardware firewalls will have a minimum of four network ports to connect other computers, but for larger networks, business networking firewall solutions are available.
Ques 4:- What is Software firewalls?
Ans:- The software firewalls are installed on your computer (like any software). You can customize it; letting you some control over its function and defense features. A software firewall will protect your computer from outside tries to regulate or gain access to your computer.
Ques 5:- What is the difference between Gateway and Firewall?
Ans: A Gateway joins two networks together and a network firewall protects a network against unauthorized incoming or outgoing access. Network firewalls may be hardware devices or software programs.
Ques 6: At which levels of OSI model Firewalls works?
Ans: Firewalls work at layers 3, 4 & 7.
Ques 7:- What are SOHO firewalls?
Ans: It is abbreviated as Small Office/Home Office appliance. It usually delivers manifold functions with many safety features include a wireless access point, Router, Firewall, Content filter.
Ques 8: What is a limitation of the network firewall?
Ans: It acts as the first line of defense against any external attack. Although, it is weaponless against any internal attack. The firewall acts as a gatekeeper, but inside the house, it can’t stop any harm from any system. A firewall design to protect the network from other networks.
Also check: Importance of Cyber Security
