Packet Filtering Firewall:
A packet filtering firewall is like a traffic cop for data traveling over a network. It watches the incoming and outgoing packets (pieces of data) and decides whether to let them through or block them based on certain rules.
Advantages:
- Simple Rules: You only need straightforward rules to say “yes” or “no” to packets, which makes it easy to set up.
- Invisible to Users: Users don’t need to know about it. It works in the background without bothering them.
- Speedy Operation: It works quickly compared to other methods because it makes decisions based on basic information like source and destination addresses.
- Easy Setup: You don’t have to tweak individual computers a lot. Once set up, they can communicate without special configurations.
- Protects Internal Addresses: It shields the addresses of internal devices from the outside world.
Disadvantages:
- Can’t See Inside Packets: It’s like checking the envelope of a letter but not reading the letter itself. It doesn’t inspect the actual content of the data, so it might miss things like restrictions on specific types of internet activities.
- Tricky Rules Setup: Figuring out the rules can be a bit challenging. You need to get them right, or you might accidentally block things you want to allow, or vice versa.
- No User Authentication: It doesn’t check if the person or device sending the packet is who they claim to be. It lacks a way to verify identities.
- No Alerts: It won’t notify you if something suspicious is happening. It just follows the rules without raising alarms.
- Not Great for Some Protocols: It’s not the best for certain kinds of internet communication, especially those that involve more complex activities.