Firewall

What is a firewall?

Firewalls are softwares which help monitor and control the activities of a network. Using a firewall we can prevent or allow access to an external user contacting the systems within a network. When an external user tries to access a network in your office environment the firewall blocks the intrusion and helps us to safeguard confidential information. A record of all transactions including both that were allowed and rejected is maintained for future use. We can change the permissions and privileges for different users as when we require.

 Does firewall regulates only external access?

No. Firewalls can be used to regulate the internal users accessing outside information as well. This can helpful when you trying to deny permission to your employees accessing certain application through the internet. Selective ports can be denied/ provided access by using a firewall. This can be of great use in having a control over the internal environment.

This is what firewallguide.com has to say about this.

“A personal computer connected to the Internet without a firewall can be hijacked in just a few minutes by automated hacker ‘’Bots'’. The only way to make your computer 100% secure is to turn it off or disconnect it from the Internet. The real issue is how to make your computer 99% secure when it is connected. Not having protection is like leaving your car running with the doors unlocked and the keys in it which a thief might interpret as “please steal me”. Stated another way, when was the last time you handed a stranger your wallet and encouraged them to take your social security card, drivers license, cash and credit cards? Locking a car, using a “club” or installing a security system makes stealing a car more difficult. Internet security and privacy products provide adequate protection by making it difficult for “outlaws” to take control of your computer and rip you off”.