SpartanTec, Inc. Wilmington: How can firewalls protect your small business network?

Accessing your computer via an internet connection or Wi-Fi network can make it vulnerable to attacks. Firewalls are a way to limit external access to your network.

How does firewalls work?

Firewalls protect your computer or network from hackers by preventing malicious traffic and unnecessary traffic. Firewalls are also able to block malicious software and apps from getting access to your computer or network via the internet. Network firewalls could be configured so that data is blocked from specific ports or locations. However, it will still allow for important and relevant data to pass through.

What type of firewall is best?

There are both software and physical firewalls. Each type of firewall has its pros and cons. It is important to decide which one you want to use.

Hardware – Also known as network firewalls, hardware is a physical device that connects to your computer. A few ISPs and vendors provide small office and home routers with firewall capabilities. Firewalls that use hardware to protect multiple computers can be extremely helpful in controlling their network activity and controlling any attempts to penetrate them. Hardware-based firewalls provide another layer of protection against cyberattacks on desktop computers. However, they can be difficult to configure and maintain because they are separate devices.

Software – Many operating systems come with an integrated firewall that you need to enable in order to increase cybersecurity protection. The firewall software can be purchased separately at your ISP or from a software vendor. You should ensure that the software you download from the internet is secure and comes from a trusted source. Software firewalls allow you to manage certain network behaviors of different applications on a single system. One of the major drawbacks of software firewalls is their location on the same system it protects. Because it’s located on the exact same system as the firewall, it can hinder the firewall from being able to detect and prevent malicious activities. Another problem is that you must update each firewall separately when you have them all on your network.

Firewall Configuration Options

Both software- and hardware-based firewalls are available commercially. They come preconfigured and can be used immediately. Each firewall is unique, so you will need to carefully read and understand the documentation to determine whether the default firewall settings meet your requirements. This is critical because default configurations are less restrictive, which can make your firewall more susceptible to compromise. You may also receive information about how to restrict malicious activity that could be implemented using your firewall in notifications.

While firewalls in Wilmington NC when properly configured may be able to block some attacks effectively it is important not to get fooled into believing that you are secure. Firewalls are not able to guarantee that your network or computer won’t get attacked. Firewalls protect your computer and network from malicious traffic but not from malicious programs. Firewalls may not be able to protect you from malicious programs or malicious traffic that you have accidentally installed on your computer. Cyberattacks can be repelled by using a firewall in conjunction with anti-virus software.

SpartanTec, Inc. offers IT support in configuring firewalls and hardware-based firewalls for your computer and network. Complete our contact form and we will contact you to review your company’s defense against cyberattack.

People also asked:
How do firewalls protect businesses?
A Firewall Can Protect Your Business from Malicious Code

They look for and block viruses, worms, spam, and other unwanted Internet traffic. They will also log intrusion attempts as well as other violations to business policies. This enables you to examine unauthorised access attempts and other suspicious activity.

Can a firewall protect against viruses?
Firewalls stop intruders from accessing this information and protect the business from cyber attacks. … Host-based firewalls are easy to install and protect your computer from malware, cookies, email viruses, pop-up windows, and more.

How are firewalls used to protect networks?
Firewalls provide protection against outside cyber attackers by shielding your computer or network from malicious or unnecessary network traffic. Firewalls can also prevent malicious software from accessing a computer or network via the internet.