| Defining what a firewall is- | | | | What A Firewall Does |
| A firewall is a piece of hardware or software that | | | | So you know generally what a firewall is but exactly |
| filters the network traffic between your computer, | | | | what is it doing? When network traffic passed through |
| home network, or companies network and the internet. | | | | a firewall, the firewall has a predetermined method of |
| You should, in my opinion, never use the internet | | | | handling that traffic. All of this is totally definable by you. |
| without being behind a firewall. This article will help | | | | Basic operation handles incoming traffic but a good |
| define in your mind what a exactly a firewall is and | | | | firewall will also screens outgoing as well. |
| how you choose the proper one for you. | | | | A firewall typical is where your computer meets the |
| Just like real world firewall a computer firewall protects | | | | internet. Large companies may also have them spread |
| your computer and network from threats out there in | | | | throughout their internal network where security |
| cyber space. A brick and mortar firewall protects you | | | | between hops is vital. |
| from one obvious attack, a computer firewall guards | | | | The most common features of a firewall are: |
| you from several different kinds of attacks. Viruses, | | | | To block incoming traffic based on the source or |
| worms, DoS attacks and hacking are occurring on a | | | | destination |
| daily basis somewhere out there in cyberspace. Most | | | | Block outgoing traffic based on the source or |
| times we don't know who they are but it is important | | | | destination |
| that you know that they are out there. There are | | | | Blocks external traffic on the basis of content |
| many groups and forums devoted just to breaking into | | | | Allow external connections to an internal network |
| your home network and wreaking havoc. These | | | | Report on incoming and outgoing traffic |
| individuals and groups take pride in stealing your data. | | | | Choosing the right firewall for you is determined by |
| So now you understand that you need a firewall to | | | | your needs. A personal firewall is the most common |
| protect yourself and your data and that the best | | | | and is installed as a piece of software on a home |
| method of doing this is through a firewall. Any decent | | | | computer. This type of firewall only protects that single |
| firewall prevents unwanted traffic from passing | | | | computer, no other computers on that network will not |
| through the internet and your home network. | | | | be protected. A small organizational firewall protects a |
| Separating external and internal traffic on your | | | | medium sized operation and has the ability to screen |
| network is the default behavior of most firewalls. | | | | traffic to a limited amount of computers. The |
| Almost all firewalls today are smart enough to figure | | | | enterprise firewall protects thousands of computers in |
| out what is accepted and what is not accepted traffic. | | | | several geographical areas. Enterprise firewall |
| You can control and configure how every form of | | | | managerial tools allow the configuration of many |
| network traffic travels through, or not through in the | | | | firewalls in a single step. |
| case you that you want to block traffic, your network. | | | | |