The firewall is an essential protective layer between your computers and the Internet. Firewalls may be hardware or software, and sit logically at the point where the Internet enters your home or business. This layer of protection should be a standard requirement in any security policy for computers that are connected to the Internet via an ‘always on’ connection.

There are many different levels of firewall protection available from many different vendors, so it’s important to understand what type of firewall is the best fit for your business. This decision is driven by what is being protected and its value, which should also be detailed in the company security policy.

Basic Firewall Protection:
Typically a modem of some kind is provided with any broadband business Internet connection such as a DSL, Cable or T-1 line. Most now come with a built-in basic inbound or one-way firewall. These firewalls offer some protection against Internet-based attacks through a process called Network Address Translation (NAT), but should really be regarded as a starting point rather than any form of comprehensive protection.

TIP – Whatever else you do, make sure the administrative user name and password are changed from the default on this device.

Good Firewall Protection:
In addition to the modem, you might add a perimeter firewall device that is specifically designed and tested to provide a certified level of protection against inbound (and often outbound) threats. This type of device, called a gateway device, is installed between the modem and the network switch that allows all the machines on the network to access the Internet. As you need to know the amount of traffic flowing across your gateway in order to determine which device you need, you will likely need professional assistance in selecting and installing the appropriate solution.

Better Firewall Protection;
You can add further layers of protection to the gateway device with plug-in modules that offer threat-specific solutions such as anti-virus, anti-spyware, intrusion prevention, and content filtering.

Best Firewall Protection:
An application firewall provides the highest level of protection; this device inspects traffic all the way up to communications between applications. These types of firewalls are now much more accessible than in the past, both from a pricing and a complexity perspective, because the threats are using this application layer much more to access and infect machines.

Other Firewall Protection:
Any laptop should have a bidirectional (Inbound and Outbound) personal firewall installed as part of its standard configuration. This will provide protection against the vulnerability of wireless and other third-party networks. Wireless Security.

Firewalls can also be installed inside the network, for example to keep one department from being able to access another department’s resources, although this is typically found in larger organizations due to increased cost, complexity and maintenance requirements.

Perimeter Firewalls;
Firewalls for home and SOHO use (<10 users) SOHO Firewall
Firewall for SMBs (up to 25 users) SMB Firewalls

Personal Firewalls
For personal computers – Personal Firewall