What Does a Firewall Protect Against?
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Simply put, firewalls act as an essential filter between a device and the public internet. Certain data types are authorized to pass both in and out, making a user’s online activities significantly safer, with different types of firewalls and filtering options available. There are numerous ways that a firewall can help protect device security.
Oftentimes the simplest form of firewall is used for home/personal use, with the chief target being to safeguard a personal computer and private network from cyber attacks. Malicious software and viruses, such as malware, trojans and ransomware, are usually spread via scam email attachments and fraudulent websites – the end-game being to compromise sensitive information.
On the business side, firewalls tend to be a great deal more complex due to the fact that extensive networks, particularly those of large corporations, require elite, bespoke levels of protection. Firewalls will often be configured to prevent employees from sending/transmitting sensitive data outside of the network, and, inbound, to restrict access to workplace distractions like social media sites. Firewalls can also block outside devices from accessing those inside the network.
Furthermore, file sharing can be limited to a sole computer on the network at the discretion of the company for added security. More than often, larger companies and certainly the corporate kind, have a dedicated IT team who are responsible for overseeing data security protocols, with firewall configurations being regularly monitored and modified.