Introduction
Network security is usually the first thing to consider while configuring a new device or network. A firewall offers the first line of defence in network security. It examines all incoming and outgoing network access requests and identifies and blocks threats. We can think of firewalls as filters – they form a barrier between your system and another and only allow authorized requests to pass through. Most, if not all, systems come with a pre-installed firewall, but it is necessary to check whether the firewall is enabled on a device or not.
Why is a firewall needed?
A firewall acts as a gatekeeper. If an unrecognized source or network seeks access to your system, the firewall blocks it and keeps your system safe and secure.
Firewalls work based on a set of rules to identify and block threats. Apart from providing immediate defence against threats, firewalls also record events. These records can be used by administrators to identify potential threats and patterns and alter the set of rules for the firewall accordingly.
With the increase in cyber threats, the rules of the firewall should be updated regularly to avoid any kind of attack on your network. In order to practice safe computer and internet usage, a firewall must be installed on every device and network – like phones, computers, or routers – whether it is in your home or your organization.
Types of firewall
Firewalls can be hardware or software. They are classified based on the system they protect and the protocols used to filter requests and data. To enable the highest level of security, it is advised to have both hardware and software firewalls.
A hardware firewall, or “application firewall” is physically installed behind your router. It scans every single bit of data that is received or sent via the internet. This type of firewall can scan a huge data set and detect malicious activity or malware.
A software firewall, or “host firewall” is installed on computer systems. It blocks viruses, known as malware and trojans.
Based on the filtering method, features, and level of security provided, firewalls can be of various types. Some of them are discussed below:
Packet-Filtering Firewalls
This is an extremely basic type of firewall that filters data packets on the basis of set security rules. Packet-filtering firewalls are not aware of the context of a received packet. They block a port number if the data packet does not adhere to the established rules. These firewalls are designed to prevent unknown IP addresses and protocols from accessing a system.
Stateful Inspection Firewall
These firewalls analyze the network traffic and find out if one data packet is related to the other. Stateful inspection firewalls also inspect the contents of a packet to provide thorough protection.
Proxy Firewall
A proxy firewall acts like a gateway between one network and the other. It inspects packages at the application layer and secures your IP address for safe data transfer.
Next-Generation Firewall
In addition to the features of a stateful inspection firewall, a next-generation firewall has features like application control, intrusion prevention, and advanced threat prevention capabilities. These firewalls provide deep packet inspection, surface-level packet inspection, and more.
How to choose the right one
When it comes to having network or device security, there is no middle ground. That is why it is necessary to be fully educated on the subject of firewalls in order to make an informed decision.
The right firewall for you is the one that fulfils your current security requirements and can be modified to handle your needs in the near future. Let’s see what points you need to keep in mind while choosing the right kind of firewall to secure your network or device.
Security threats
All types of firewalls – hardware and software, both – have similar functions, that is to monitor traffic and filter authorized requests. However, before you choose a firewall, you must take into consideration your potential security threats. For example, for a personal device or network, you might want to set up a firewall that has anti-virus, email spam filters, and application filtering. But in the case of large organizations where the systems have sensitive information, you might want to use a firewall that has a deep packet inspection.
Attack alerts
While firewalls prevent attacks, it is important for the administrator to be notified of the attacks so they can either be avoided or monitored in the future. You must consider whether a firewall solution sends alerts when major attacks occur.
Dos/DDoS protection
A denial-of-service or distributed denial-of-service attack is the most common and frequent threat to any device or network. These attacks can be launched with little or no warning, and by the time the administrator realizes this, there can be significant damage and loss of data. Fortunately, firewalls can identify and block DDoS attacks at an initial level, so it is an important feature to keep in mind while choosing a firewall.
Remote access
Working remotely has become a raging trend in recent times, particularly in the IT sector. However, providing employees with remote access to the company’s network presents security risks. Hence, it is essential to use a firewall solution that can integrate VPNs to eliminate those threats.
Network architecture
Before you choose a firewall for your system, it is important to analyze your network architecture – the number of systems, other devices, database management systems, operating systems, servers, switches, routers, etc. You will need to install software firewalls on each system and manually update them when necessary, and you will be required to choose a hardware firewall that can handle the number of devices connected to the ecosystem.
Updating your firewall to keep up with the ever-evolving security threats can be costly and tedious. Rental firewalls eliminate that expense. Many companies, such as RankComputers, provide rental firewalls and related services. Once your firewall is outdated or if your requirements change, you can easily swap it for a model that suits your needs better.
Conclusion
When you choose not to install a firewall, you are actively choosing to invite every threat and malicious attack onto your network, which may result in you losing access to your device and all its data. Firewalls form a protective shield around your data and networks, and while installing firewalls, you must pick the most powerful shield possible. It can be either one or a combination of two or more firewalls, but securing your devices and networks should be one of the most important aspects of your system’s design.
