Firewall - The Computer’s Guardian

A “firewall” is an over-arching term to describe a specialized security system for a computer network. It is an operating system based designed software to control and protect the computer from unauthorized contents. Main feature of computer firewall is to prevent unwanted contents. It has predefined rules to access the computer. It is a device or set of devices are used to permit, deny, and encrypt all computer instructions based on set of rules and security criteria.

Computer firewall is the firewall software used by many users who are working on Microsoft windows. They can easily access this firewall program. This firewall acts quickly to prevent Trojans and blocks the access of the network. This blocking technique is possible when the application criteria changed.

This firewall technology was found in the 1980s, when internet itself had not reached the people widely. Routers were used to separate network accessibility and the demand for network security was not necessary.

In this technical life, need of internet access leads to bring new application software programs. In the same way firewall application software came into exist. Windows firewall is available for users who are working on windows OS.

Firewall functions under certain set of rules and instructions. If it is not working it will become worthless. Optimized analysis makes changes in settings of security administration. All these are working for complete protection.

The functions of a Computer firewall are classified into three generation sets. All three functions are necessary to provide online and offline support. These generation sets control the installation, copying and sharing of a file.

The first firewall is called as “packet filter”, which is mainly works for data transfer from the networks. The second generation firewall called as “stateful filter”. It’s main function to record the all set of connections passing through firewall and to determine the state of packets.

The third generation firewall also known as proxy-based firewall and also called as application-layer firewall. Its main function is to detect unwanted harmful threats and abused protocols. After detection it will automatically blocks those unwanted threats.

Application layer-firewalls works on the application level of the TCP/IP stack and may intercept all packets traveling to or from an application. They block other packets. These application firewalls will prevent all unwanted outside traffic from reaching protected machines. On inspecting all packets for improper content, firewalls can prevent outright the spread of networked worms and most harmful Trojans.