How does Firewall work

Firewall is a term almost every computer user might have at least heard of, Firewall is a common term in internet terminology related to security.So in this article lets see the inner things of Firewall and also basically what a firewall is.

What is Firewall ?

Firewalls is like a barrier between a computer and the Internet.A firewall is like a security guard who stands at the entrance of your house and monitors or filters the visitors coming to your door. The same thing a Firewall does by filtering only known content and stops or filters unknown or intruding content in your computer.

Firewall usually make decisions to allow or block network traffic(Internet) between devices based on the rules that are set by the network Firewall administrator. Usually most personal Firewalls such as Windows firewall and other personal Firewalls work on the pre-configured rules that are set.These Personal firewalls are easy to use and hence used by low end-users & other basic users for low end processes. However, large networks need customized firewalls that have plenty of options to configure so as to meet their customized needs.

Firewalls use one or more of the following methods to control the incoming and outgoing traffic in a network,The below classification is more like the basic types of Firewalls what they use to work.

1. Packet Filtering: In this type of method data or the little chunks of info are filtered based on a set  of key filters. These key filters usually have a set of pre configured rules on which they abide to follow the process.Whenever a packet of data doesn't meet the pre configured instructions the firewall doesn't allow and will terminate the information.This Packet Filtering technique is a older technique.
2. Stateful Inspection: This type is a latest method that doesn't work the way packet filtering does. It usually compares certain indifference's of each packet to a database of trusted source.The incoming and out going packets are compared to the one in data base if the comparison yields a reasonable match, then the packets are allowed to travel further

Configuring your Firewall is the most important step of security and protection .Configuring your Firewall needs your own specific used usually the default Firewall settings are enough for a normal PC or home computer but when the necessities increases the need for the customization of Firewall is increased

Hardware and Software Firewall:

Usually Hard ware firewalls provide more security than the software firewalls but since Hardware Firewalls are more expensive than software Firewalls they are less widely use.Hardware Firewalls are usually used in servers which use good amount of security and these firewalls are usually hard  built in the server itself.These are in-built unit of a router and provide maximum security as it filters each packet in the hardware level itself even before it manages to enter your computer.

Do we really need Firewalls?

Firewalls provide seamless security over many threats which try to enter our networks and exploit us. Usually Firewalls evade the threats and doesn't allow the foreign programs to enter our networks.But as we know every thing has its own limitations some major threats such as DOS and DDOS attacks manage to bypass the Firewalls and threats your networks. Even though firewall is not a complete answer to online threats, it can most effectively handle the attacks and provide security to the computer up to the maximum possible extent.