Firewall

A firewall is a security device or software application designed to monitor, filter, and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It acts as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, such as the internet. Firewalls help protect systems from unauthorized access, cyberattacks, and malicious traffic by enforcing rules that block or allow data packets based on criteria such as IP addresses, ports, and protocols. They can be implemented as hardware appliances, software applications, or a combination of both, and are crucial for maintaining network security and integrity.