Firewall | Key Functions and Types of Firewalls - Hardware and Software Firewalls - Network Address Translation (NAT) and Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW)
Firewall: A firewall is a network security device or software that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Its primary purpose is to establish a barrier between a trusted internal network (such as a corporate or home network) and untrusted external networks (such as the internet) to prevent unauthorized access and secure sensitive data. firewall Key Functions of a Firewall: 1. Packet Filtering: Firewalls inspect data packets (small units of data transmitted over a network) and filter them based on specific criteria, such as source and destination IP addresses, port numbers, and protocols. Packets that meet the allowed criteria are allowed to pass through, while others are blocked. 2. Stateful Inspection: Stateful firewalls keep track of the state of active connections and make decisions based on the context of the traffic. This means that the firewall evaluates the state of the connection and allows packets that belong to...