Imagine your computer as a house and the internet as the outside world. You wouldn't leave your front door wide open, would you? A firewall acts as that crucial gatekeeper, carefully examining all incoming and outgoing traffic to keep your network safe from malicious threats. It's the first line of defense against cyberattacks and unauthorized access, protecting your sensitive data and ensuring a secure online experience. What is a Firewall? Firewall Definition and Purpose A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Its primary purpose is to create a barrier between a trusted internal network and an untrusted external network, such as the internet. By analyzing data packets, firewalls can id...