• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Wooster

Technology@​Wooster

Collaborating with the campus community to explore questions of​ pedagogy, best practices, and technology integration.

  • For Students
    • What Technology do I need at Wooster
    • Computer Labs
    • Downloads
    • Wireless
    • Printing
    • E-Mail
    • Gaming Consoles
    • Poster Printing
  • I’d like to
  • Events
  • Staff
    • Applications Development
    • Educational Technology
      • About
    • Information and Planning
    • Research and Planning
    • Technology Services
      • Digital Infrastructure
      • Media and Event Support
      • Technology Services – Media Services
      • Technology Services – Service Desk
    • Student Digital Media Assistants
    • Student Research Assistants
    • Student Technology Assistants
  • Resources
    • ArcGIS Online
    • Hoonuit online training
    • Moodle
    • Professional Development
    • Projects in a Box
    • Qualtrics
    • Select Survey
    • WordPress(Voices)
    • Workshops
  • Technologies
    • Classroom Technology
      • Document Cameras
      • Epson Technologies
      • SMART Technologies
      • Student Response Systems
      • Video Conferencing
    • Digital Media
      • Audio
      • Images
      • Mobile Apps
      • Presentation
      • Video
    • Virtual Reality
      • VR Resources
      • Virtual Worlds
    • Web 2.0
      • Information Management
      • Mashups
      • Media Sharing
      • Social Communication
      • Social Knowledge Building
    • Web Authoring
      • Blogging
      • CMS
      • Wikis
  • Contact Us
    • Ed Tech Consultation
    • Tech Services Consultation
  • Change Your Password
  • Spam & Junk Email
  • IT Policies
  • IT Blog
You are here: Home → Cybersecurity → What is the purpose of a firewall?

What is the purpose of a firewall?

Even though we don’t think about it very often, network security is extremely important. This post is going to discuss a device that is used to enforce protection in networks. A firewall is a component that is used to monitor the incoming and outgoing traffic in a network. The term ‘firewall’ can be used to refer to hardware or software. Firewalls can be used to limit access to internal networks and protect them from internal and external dangers.

Illustration of how a firewall works
How does a firewall work?

Depending upon the kind of network and application, there are different types of firewalls that can be used. Virtual, threat-focused and proxy firewalls are some examples of types of firewalls. They can protect devices from malware, application-layer attacks and provide information about assets that are at risk. Firewalls are commonly used to secure home networks from threats coming external networks such as the Internet. They can prevent outsiders from gaining access to private information and taking control of devices on a network. Firewalls are necessary because any device on the network being vulnerable will put all devices in the network at risk. Firewalls usually come with operating systems.

Traditional firewalls are called state inspection firewalls and they operate based on a defined set of rules. These rules clearly specify what devices/networks can access information on your device or establish a connection with it. Analyzing incoming and outgoing traffic will allow the firewall to protect the network. Not having a firewall can make your devices vulnerable to constantly evolving security threats. It might result in the exposure sensitive information. If hackers gain control of your network, they can cause a complete network shutdown. If your system does not have a firewall, connecting to any untrusted network can be harmful. Therefore, it is important to understand the significance of firewalls. Make sure your firewall is turned on and stay cyber smart.

Sources:

https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-emerging-threats-what-is-firewall.html

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/firewalls/what-is-a-firewall.html

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Cybersecurity Tagged With: cybersecurity, firewall

Primary Sidebar

Interesting Videos

Resources

  • We can help with…
  • Professional Development
  • Projects in a Box
  • Workshops
  • I.S. Support
  • Request an Appointment
  • ArcGIS Online
  • Hoonuit online training
  • Qualtrics
  • Poster Printing
  • Request a Wiki
  • Loaner Equipment

Copyright © 2021 · Technology Theme 3.0.0 on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkNo
You can revoke your consent any time using the Revoke consent button.Revoke cookies