Firewall: how to choose the most secure option for your business

Born in the 80s, it is one of the most used protection barriers against attacks.

Los firewall (firewalls in English) are one of the most important security options in the technology sector. They emerged in the 1980s and are widely used to this day. It is a security solution based on hardware or software (the latter is the most common) since, based on a set of rules or instructions, it analyzes network traffic to determine what the data transmission or reception options are and how they can be performed. As the name itself suggests, the firewall It works as a defense barrier. Its basic function is to block unwanted data traffic and free up welcome access.

AND firewall Protects computers and networks from unwanted situations. Him firewall It does this by analyzing incoming and outgoing network traffic, using a set of existing rules to determine the legitimacy of the data packets being sent. Any data packets that do not match these rules are automatically blocked.

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The idea of ​​security firewall It can be compared to security inside a condominium, since it is necessary to respect certain rules, such as identifying yourself and having the security guard authorize entry. Him firewall It can prevent a number of malicious actions, such as malware: a program that stealthily sends data over the Internet, in an attempt to access the network from unauthorized external computers.

The two main variations are firewall From hardware Yes softwareeach with its advantages and disadvantages.

Most network routers are a good example of a firewall From hardware. The way traffic passes through the router, which acts as the physical outlet between the Internet and the computers or networks you use. One of the biggest benefits of a router is its ability to protect an entire network. Another is that they require little to no setup.

AND software From firewall It is a program that runs on a single computer. like a firewall From hardwarethe version of software Analyzes data packets to determine their validity. The main advantage of a software From firewall It’s his versatility. While the hardware version protects a specific network, a version software protects your computer, regardless of the network it has access to. This causes a software From firewall It’s a better choice for business people who travel often and tend to connect to less reliable networks.

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Choose the best option firewall

Much of the decision depends on your common circumstances and needs. The users of deskwhose computers rarely change networks, will be served by a firewall From hardware. This offers the simplest setup, combining it with maximum flexibility. Notebooks and laptops, especially those of users who travel frequently, will need firewall software to ensure protection wherever they go. A possible option is also to mix the two: opt for a hardware firewall when working on a home or office network and a software firewall when on the move.

Firewalls They are one of the essential security tools

Although the firewall While they are essential security assets, they have limitations that vary depending on the type of solution and architecture used. They can provide the desired security, but compromise the performance of the network (or a computer). This situation can generate greater expenses for an expansion of the infrastructure capable of overcoming the problem.

The verification of the policies must be reviewed periodically so as not to damage the functioning of the new services. A firewall It may not be able to prevent malicious activity originating from and targeting your internal network, and it may not be sufficient to identify malicious activity that occurs due to your lack of attention, such as accessing a fake Internet banking site by clicking a link in an email message.

Los Firewalls they need to be monitored. Malware or hackers Experts may attempt to discover or exploit security flaws in solutions of any type. A firewall cannot intercept a connection that does not pass through it. For example, if a user has access to the Internet on their computer from ato the 3G connectionJTo bypass network restrictions, there may be problems protecting the file firewall.

Since it cannot completely protect a network or computer, a number of other security resources must complement protection in companies, such as antivirus, intrusion detection systems, VPN (Virtual private network), among other mechanisms based on the vulnerability and sensitivity of the environment.

This combined set of resources works to maximize data security and access control to computers, devices and networks in the same way as walls, gates, alarms, electric fences, surveillance cameras, etc. which together strengthen the protection against the invasion of intruders or unwanted persons. The lack of one or the other reduces the effectiveness of the others.

Sources:

http://finslab.com/suporte-ao-cliente/artigo-1132.html
http://www.infowester.com/firewall.php