Firewalls

Definition

Firewalls are security systems that monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules, protecting networks from unauthorized access or malicious activities.

Related terms

Intrusion Prevention System (IPS): An advanced form of firewall that not only monitors network traffic but also actively blocks suspicious or malicious activities in real-time.

Network Address Translation (NAT): A technique used by firewalls to hide internal IP addresses behind a single public IP address, adding an extra layer of protection against external threats.

Packet Filtering: A basic form of firewall that examines individual packets of data based on predefined rules to determine whether they should be allowed or blocked.