A firewall is crucial if your network needs to protect against cyber security threats. Expired or outdated firewalls put your business at risk of attacks.
A next-generation firewall (NGFW) combines traditional threat prevention capabilities with application awareness and identity-based inspection to prevent that.
Stops Virus and Spyware Attacks
A firewall is a software program that controls data packets, allowing or denying them. It is a virtual digital security device for businesses, as it helps prevent cyber attacks by hackers and other online thieves.
Firewalls use a set of previously defined rules to determine whether a data packet is malicious and inspect both network and computer traffic. They also monitor access rights to remote IP addresses and block any attempt to send or receive data.
The most important thing is that you know how does a firewall work and the ways a firewall can enhance your cybersecurity by stopping virus and spyware attacks on your computers. This malware can erase data on your machine and spread it to other devices on the network.
In addition, firewalls can protect against spam emails, including links to malicious websites or phishing attacks. These phishing emails are designed to trick you into providing your personal information, passwords, or other sensitive details.
However, there are other ways that a firewall can be hacked. These attacks usually involve a legitimate phishing email containing links that inject encrypted code into your system.
Stops Hackers and Scammers
Cyber attacks are on the rise worldwide, making it more critical than ever to have robust firewall security. Firewalls monitor and analyze incoming and outgoing network traffic based on preestablished rules, inspection capabilities, and validity checks to prevent unauthorized access to your systems.
Many businesses have computers and devices connected to the Internet, allowing them to communicate with customers, run their business and share information with employees. However, the connectivity also makes it easier for hackers and scammers to access information on these computers.
Hackers and scammers can search for victim computers by sending pings (calls) to thousands of computers, hoping to find a computer they can break into and take over. They can then use the computer to steal data or carry out other malicious activities without the owner knowing it’s happening.
A circuit-level firewall examines data packets as they pass through the transport layer in the TCP/IP model to detect and discard harmful code before it can infect other computers or devices. These firewalls can also sandbox malware and protect your business from the risks of these types of threats.
Stops Junk Traffic
A firewall works as a traffic controller or guard, blocking junk email and preventing cybercriminals from taking over the network. It uses several techniques to distinguish good from bad traffic and allows or blocks specific data packets based on preestablished security rules.
The first way a firewall can stop junk traffic is by examining the incoming and outgoing data that passes through it. Incoming network traffic typically has one of three major transport layer protocols – TCP, UDP, or ICMP. Each of these protocols has a source and destination address, as well as a port number that identifies the purpose of the packet.
Outgoing traffic is often handled differently than incoming, and a firewall must be configured to make sure it can identify which type of traffic is coming in. This is done through several methods, such as allowing specific protocols or using access control lists (ACLs).
Limits Non-Work-Related Internet Use
In addition to controlling virus and spam attacks, a firewall can limit non-work-related internet use. This can include accessing websites that don’t align with your organization’s policy or viewing content that raises ethical questions.
A firewall can block or permit access to specific ports depending on the time and day. For example, you can secure social media sites and access shopping sites during work hours but allow employees to surf personal websites afterward.
The same goes for egress traffic from the company network to the Internet. You can block or allow incoming traffic to known bad ports, such as pornography and gambling, and let those necessary for business operations.
HR can use employee Internet management (EIM) software to control employees’ Internet usage. These programs enable HR to establish time-based quotas, allow employees to continue blocked sites they deem work-related, or defer personal surfing to non-work hours.
Stops Remote Employees
Firewalls protect your network, devices, and personal data by allowing or blocking specific data packets based on preestablished rules. They’re like a traffic guard at your computer’s entry point, checking the validity of incoming connections to see whether they’re safe.
As your organization’s cybersecurity needs change, keeping your firewall current and ensuring all employees use it properly is essential. Cybercriminals are constantly looking for new ways to break into systems, so you must implement multiple security layers on top of the existing ones.
For example, you can have your remote employees install strong antivirus and antimalware software on their home devices. You can also ensure that they have strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. Finally, you can ensure they keep company information private from their devices or cloud services. This will help to stop cybercriminals from stealing sensitive data and identity fraud. Employees should also be required to report any suspicious activity or changes they notice to their accounts. These steps will help to prevent identity theft and ransomware attacks.
