What is a firewall and what types are there?

Firewalls – most people have heard of them, but what exactly do they do? In a world where digital threats are becoming more sophisticated, a firewall is a crucial layer of protection. In this blog, you’ll learn what a firewall is, how it works, and the different types available. We’ll also explain why firewalls are so important for your online safety and share examples of security software that include them as standard.

What is a firewall?

Although a firewall operates complex processes in the background, at its core, it can be summed up in one sentence. A firewall is a security system that monitors and controls all incoming and outgoing network traffic based on its security rules. Think of hackers trying to access your system – it’s the firewall that blocks them. Firewalls can be either hardware or software-based, but in this blog, we’ll focus on the software version.

How does a firewall work?

It helps to understand what a firewall does before installing one on your device. So, let’s dive in:

As mentioned, a firewall checks all incoming and outgoing network traffic. It acts like a filter, scanning actively in the background to protect your device from unauthorised access. You can think of it as a security guard who knows exactly what to watch out for, how to recognise threats, and how to block them. Unlike a guard, though, the firewall is on duty 24/7.

What types of firewalls are there?

There are different types of firewalls, but they all aim to do the same thing: protect your device from unwanted outside access. Everything sent to your device via the internet – such as websites, emails, or files – arrives in small pieces called ‘data packets’. Firewalls examine these packets and decide if they’re safe. Here are three commonly used types of firewalls:

• Packet Filtering Firewall: This firewall acts as a quick checkpoint. Each data packet is compared against a set of rules. If it looks suspicious, it’s blocked. If it’s safe, it’s allowed through.
• Stateful Inspection Firewall: This firewall doesn’t just look at the data itself but also at where it’s coming from and what it intends to do on your device. It remembers previous connections, so it better knows what to trust.
• Proxy Firewall: Think of this as a middleman. The firewall first connects to the outside world itself and checks if everything is safe. Only then does it pass the data on to your device – nothing gets in without a check.

Why do you need a firewall?

A firewall helps protect your network, devices, and applications from unauthorised access and malicious activity. It’s essential for your digital safety. Here are some of the main benefits of using a firewall:

• Protection against unauthorised access: A firewall monitors all incoming and outgoing traffic. It acts as a digital shield, keeping your network, devices, and everything on them safe.
• Reduces the risk of malware infections: Because all traffic is inspected, it becomes hard – if not impossible – for viruses or malware to enter your device. Add a strong antivirus on top, and your device is truly well protected.
• Manages network traffic: A firewall manages the network traffic and ensures that important applications and services get the bandwidth and resources they need to run smoothly. Without it, less important programs might hog your device’s capacity, making critical software lag or fail – something you definitely want to avoid.
• Provides insight into network activity: Firewalls offer valuable information about network activity and can alert you to threats, allowing you to act accordingly.

Our products, such as Norton 360, Bitdefender Total Security and McAfee Total Protection, with their advanced firewalls, are a great way to enjoy all the benefits mentioned above.

Conclusion

At its core, a firewall is a security system that monitors and controls all network traffic – a digital gatekeeper keeping unwanted access out. As cyber threats grow smarter and more persistent, it’s crucial to secure your digital environment. Don’t wait until it’s too late – take proactive measures. A firewall isn’t a luxury; it’s a vital first line of defence in any reliable security solution. Want to be sure your data is safe? Choose a security suite with a built-in firewall and protect yourself actively from online risks.

Check out our page with all security software that includes a firewall and find the one that suits you best.