Firewall is a network security device that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and decides whether to allow or block specific traffic based on a defined set of security rules. Firewalls establish a barrier between secured and controlled internal networks that can be trusted and untrusted outside networks, such as the Internet. A firewall can be hardware, software, or both.
When You Need a Firewall
You might be thinking: why firewall is necessary? Do I actually need one? Yes, a firewall is required for any machine that connects to the Internet. Not just your computer, but your web server, phone, IoT devices, or anything you can think of that has the ability to use the internet. An unprotected device can be hacked easily. This could give hackers the ability to take over your computer, install whatever they want, monitor as you enter sensitive information like bank credentials, or even look through your webcam/camera, and listen through your microphone. In the case of a web server, if a hacker manages to get through, they could deface your website, embed malware that infects your visitors, change your login credentials, or take down your site entirely.
Below are the few Benefits of Firewall
Understanding the benefits of firewall security is the first step in helping your business grow safely in the ever-changing digital age. Even if your business only relies on technology and networks for a small piece of your operations, it is still equally important that you take proactive steps to keep things protected. Firewalls serve as a first line of defense to external threats, malware, and hackers trying to gain access to your data and systems.
Preventing Malicious Traffic
A major responsibility of a firewall is to monitor the traffic passing through it. Whatever the information traveling through a network is in the form of packets. Firewall inspects each of these packets for any hazardous threats. If any chance the firewall happens to find them it will immediately block them.
Blocks Trojans
Malwares especially the type Trojans are dangerous to a user. A Trojan silently sits on your computer spying over all the works you do with it. Whatever the information they gather will be sent to a web server. Obviously, you will not know their presence until the strange behaviors of your computer. A firewall in this instance will immediately block Trojans before they cause any damages to your system.
Prevent Hackers
Hackers on the internet constantly look for computers for carrying out their illegal activities. When the hackers happen to find such computers, they will start to do even malicious activities such as spreading viruses. Apart from those hackers there can be unknown people such as the neighbors looking out for an open internet connection. Hence, to prevent such intrusions it is a good idea to be with a firewall security. Firewalls block all unauthorized connections to your computer (including those of hackers who are trying to steal your data) and even let you select which programs can access the internet so that you’re never connected unknowingly.
Blocking Prohibited Sites
It is highly impossible to run a business without the internet, the web is also home to plenty of distracting and unsafe websites. Firewall settings can be modified to block sites you don’t want employees visiting, like social media platforms or explicit content.
Stops Virus Attacks
An virus attack can shut your digital operations down faster. With hundreds of thousands of new threats developed every single day, it is vital that you put the defenses in place to keep your systems healthy. One of the most visible benefits of firewalls is the ability to control your system’s entry points and stop virus attacks. The cost of damage from a virus attack on your systems could be immeasurably high, depending on the type of virus.
Better Privacy
Privacy is one of the major concerns of a user. Hackers constantly look out for privacy information’s for getting clues about the user. But by using a firewall many of the services offered by a site such as the domain name service and the finger can be blocked. Hence, the hackers are with no chance of getting privacy details. Additionally, firewalls can block the DNS information’s of the site system. Due to this the names and the IP address will not be visible to the attackers.
Conclusion
Firewalls are the first line of defense in your network. If that line of defense is not maintained, it could cost you millions or harm your reputation. But there’s nothing to worry; if you are using a decent firewall, you can stay secure from external threats.
