A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls over all your incoming and outgoing network traffic based on advanced and a defined set of security rules.
Its a software or hardware system designed to prevent unauthorized access to an individual computer or network of computers. They are used mostly as a first line of defense to protect your device or network from online threats such as hackers, viruses, Trojans, and worms.
A computer firewall is a software program that prevents unauthorized access to or from a private network. Firewalls are tools that can be used to enhance the security of computers connected to a network, such as LAN or the Internet. They are an integral part of a comprehensive security framework for your network.
A firewall absolutely isolates your computer from the Internet using a "wall of code" that inspects each individual "packet" of data as it arrives at either side of the firewall — inbound to or outbound from your computer — to determine whether it should be allowed to pass or be blocked.
A good firewall system blocks attackers from trying to infiltrate your system and prevents your data and information from flowing out to the bad guys.
What Firewalls Do?
Basically, firewalls need to be able to perform the following tasks:
Defend resources
Validate access
Manage and control network traffic
Record and report on events
Act as an intermediary
What is Personal Firewall
It is important to understand why we need a firewall and how it helps us in the world of secure computing. We need to understand the goals of information security because it helps us to understand how a firewall may address those needs.
A firewall establishes a barrier between secured internal networks and outside untrusted network, such as the Internet.
Why you need Personal Firewall
In the age of high-speed Internet Access, you electronically connect your computer to a broad network over which, unless you have installed a personal firewall, you have limited control and from which you have limited protection. Until recently, unless you worked for an organization that provided high-speed internet access.
Like anything, the high-speed connection has its own drawbacks. Ironically, the very feature that makes a high-speed connection attractive is also the reason that makes it vulnerable. In a way, connecting to the internet via high-speed connection is like leaving the front door of your house open and unlocked. This is because high-speed Internet connections have the following features:
A constant IP - Make it easy for an intruder who has discovered your computer on the internet to find you again and again.
High-Speed Access - Means that the intruder can work much faster when trying to break into your computer.
Always active connection - means that your computer is vulnerable every time when it is connected to the internet.
Defending yourself with a Personal Firewall
So now you have an idea of how you are vulnerable every time when you are online on a high-speed Internet connection, compared to an ordinary 56Kbps connection. What you now need to know is how you can defend yourself against the threat posed by this type of connection
A Personal firewall is important when
You surf the internet at home using an 'always on' broadband connection
You connect to the internet via a public WiFi network in a park, cafe or airport
You run a home network which needs to be kept isolated from the internet
You wish to be kept informed when any program on your computer attempts to connect to the internet
Most Personal Firewalls are highly configurable so you can easily create security policies to suit your individual needs.
Hardware vs. Software Firewalls
A firewall can be implemented using either software or a separate physical device (usually for large networks) or a combination of both.
Hardware firewalls are built into the routers. They are designed to protect all the devices connected to a network . If you are connecting to the internet through a broadband router, the router’s firewall is already protecting your device.
Software firewalls are included in Microsoft operating systems such as Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10 and it is turned on by default. Window’s firewalls generally provide less protective features than those purchased from antivirus vendors. One notable feature missing from Windows has been two-way controls to restrict what travels out from your device as well as what comes in.
Firewalls made by internet security companies can provide two-way protection and may also block malware and other malicious programs.
Firewalls are generally of two types: Host-based and Network-based.
Host- based Firewalls : Host-based firewall is installed on each network node which controls each incoming and outgoing packet. It is a software application or suite of applications, comes as a part of the operating system. Host-based firewalls are needed because network firewalls cannot provide protection inside a trusted network. Host firewall protects each host from attacks and unauthorized access.
Network-based Firewalls : Network firewall function on network level. In other words, these firewalls filter all incoming and outgoing traffic across the network. It protects the internal network by filtering the traffic using rules defined on the firewall. A Network firewall might have two or more network interface cards (NICs). A network-based firewall is usually a dedicated system with proprietary software installed.
Enabling Windows Vista and Windows 7 firewall
Click Start and in the Search for Programs and Files text box, type firewall, and press Enter.
In the search results, click Windows Firewall.
If the Windows Firewall is disabled, the Windows Firewall state will be off. If it is off, click Change settings or Turn Windows Firewall on or off in the left column.
In the Firewall Settings window, select On and click OK.
Disabling the Windows Vista and Windows 7 firewall
Click Start and in the Search for Programs and Files text box, type firewall, and press Enter.
In the search results, click Windows Firewall.
If the Windows Firewall is enabled, the Windows Firewall state will be "on." To turn it off, click Change settings or Turn Windows Firewall on or off in the left column.
In the Firewall Settings window, select Off and click OK.
Enabling the Windows XP firewall
Open the Control Panel
Open Network Connections.
In the Network Connections window, right-click the Local Area Connection and select properties.
In the Local Area Connection Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
Finally, check the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet option.
Disabling the Windows XP firewall
Open the Control Panel
Open Network Connections.
In the Network Connections window, right-click the Local Area Connection and select Properties.
In the Local Area Connection Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
Finally, uncheck the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet option.
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