- Hackers are individuals or groups who exploit vulnerabilities to gain unauthorised access to systems for various malicious purposes.
- Firewalls help stop hackers by filtering traffic, using advanced inspection techniques, and employing automated responses to block unauthorised access and detect sophisticated threats.
Hackers exploit system vulnerabilities to gain unauthorised access and cause harm, while firewalls protect networks by controlling and monitoring traffic to prevent such intrusions. They employ various techniques, including traffic filtering, advanced inspection, and automated responses, to defend against and mitigate the impact of cyber threats.
Also read: What is a firewall?
Definition of hackers
Hackers are individuals or groups who use technical skills to gain unauthorised access to computer systems, networks, or data. Their motives can range from stealing sensitive information, disrupting services, or causing damage to systems, to using compromised systems for further attacks. Hackers can be driven by various goals, including financial gain, political motives, personal challenge, or malicious intent.
Hackers employ different techniques and tools to exploit vulnerabilities in systems. This can include using malware to infect and control systems, exploiting software flaws to gain access, or using social engineering to trick individuals into revealing confidential information. Their activities can lead to significant security breaches, data loss, and financial damage for organisations and individuals alike.
Also read: Will AI replace ethical hackers?
Also read: Hackers cash in, AT&T’s $370K payout for stolen data deletion
How does a firewall stop them
A firewall helps stop hackers and prevent attacks by acting as a barrier between a private network and the public internet. Here’s how it works:
1. Traffic filtering: Firewalls inspect incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined security rules. They allow or block data packets based on criteria such as IP addresses, port numbers, and protocols. This helps prevent unauthorised access and malicious traffic from entering the network.
2. Stateful inspection: This method tracks the state of active connections and makes decisions based on the context of the traffic. It allows only legitimate traffic that matches a known connection state, blocking unauthorised or suspicious packets.
3. Next-generation firewalls (NGFWs): NGFWs incorporate advanced features like deep packet inspection, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and application awareness. They use technologies such as machine learning to detect and block sophisticated threats.
4. Sandboxing: Some firewalls can isolate and analyse suspicious files or activities in a controlled environment. This helps detect and neutralise potential threats before they can affect the network.
5. Behavioral monitoring: Firewalls equipped with behavioral analysis can identify unusual patterns of traffic or activity that might indicate a security threat, such as a DDoS attack or unauthorised access attempts.
6. Automated responses: Modern firewalls can automatically respond to detected threats by isolating infected endpoints or blocking malicious traffic, minimising the potential damage from an attack.
Overall, firewalls provide a crucial layer of defense by controlling network traffic, monitoring for suspicious activities, and integrating advanced security features to protect against various types of cyber threats.
