You’ve probably heard recommendations about using a firewall to protect your system from cybersecurity threats. If you have no idea what a firewall actually is, you’ve come to the right place to find out! A firewall is a software program designed to prevent hackers and third parties from gaining unauthorized access to your network or device. This tool is a mandatory part of any security system because without it, your device would be exposed to numerous security issues.
Before we get into how a firewall works, make sure to keep in mind that simply using a firewall on its own is not enough to keep your device protected. Instead, make sure to implement a combination of safety measures including password regulation, the use of a virtual private network, and multi factor authentication. Multiple safety measures combined will make your device more durable against all the security threats online.
How Does a Firewall Work?
A firewall uses a specific “wall of code” to isolate your computer from the internet. This creates a kind of virtual wall that prevents malware and hackers from reaching your computer. Each piece of data that goes to and from your computer has to go through this wall of code where it gets inspected and eventually approved or denied.
Most firewalls can be customized, which means you can control what type of processes have access to your network. Even though the whole concept behind firewalls sounds complex, these security tools are actually very simple to use. All you have to do is install the firewall, go through a quick setup process and you’re good to go.
Besides allowing and denying traffic based on security parameters, firewalls are in charge of defending the resources of your network, managing and controlling network traffic, as well as recording events and reporting on them. Any computer’s security system is incomplete without a firewall. Using only an antivirus program will result in limited protection.
After all, all an antivirus software does is help identify security threats and downloaded malware. After that, you are on your own. That is why it is important to follow the NIST cybersecurity framework and learn more about other security measures that will help you prevent cyberattacks. The NIST framework contains guidelines for successful detection and prevention of cybersecurity incidents, as well as the recovery and response processes.
Conclusion
Now that you know how a firewall works, make sure to activate this security tool on your computer and start protecting your network. Using a firewall is far simpler than you thought because most of the activities are automatic. All you have to do is install it if you don’t already have it installed and set it up for operation.
However, what you should focus on is the NIST framework and other safety measures that will boost the overall security of your device. Don’t forget to activate your antivirus program and use a virtual private network for encryption whenever you browse the web.
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