ANSWERS: 1
  • A firewall is a computer network device that shields the computers connected to it from unauthorized access by computers outside that network. This firewall can be a physical device or a piece of software installed on your computer.

    Context of Operation

    Every computer on the Internet has an IP (Internet Protocol) address attached to it, which is its equivalent of a street address. You can use this address to find and communicate with a computer on your local network, or on the Internet outside your network.

    Firewall Interaction

    However, you probably don't want just any computer on the Internet interacting directly with yours. A firewall becomes a protective device that shields you from computers that you have not authorized to communicate with you.

    Internet Communication

    Data on the Internet is sent in the form of "packets." These packets contain information in a "header" section that includes packet reception information, so that the sender know the packets were successfully sent. A firewall discards packets you haven't requested.

    Network Address Translation

    With a firewall at the front of your network, someone on the outside can't see the specific IP addresses of the computers on the other side of it. They can only see the address of the firewall. To a person on the outside, they don't know how many computers are protected by it or even connected to it.

    Software Firewalls

    This type can also ask you to verify the authorization of information being sent from your computer, as well as to it. This can prevent unauthorized software from starting up and sending information you don't want to send.

    Source:

    PC Help: What Is a Firewall?

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