What is the primary function of a firewall in a network? Learn how firewalls filter incoming and outgoing traffic to protect networks from unauthorized access and cyber threats—essential for Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Networking 100-150 exam success.
Table of Contents
Question
What is the main function of a firewall in a network?
A. Assigns IP addresses to devices
B. Filters incoming and outgoing traffic
C. Resolves domain names to IP addresses
D. Manages VLAN configurations
E. Encrypts network data
Answer
B. Filters incoming and outgoing traffic
Explanation
A firewall controls network security by filtering allowed and blocked traffic.
The main function of a firewall in a network is to filter incoming and outgoing traffic.
A firewall acts as a security barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks (such as the internet), monitoring and controlling network traffic based on predefined security rules.
It inspects each data packet entering or leaving the network, allowing or blocking traffic according to rules that define what is considered safe or authorized.
This filtering process helps prevent unauthorized access, cyberattacks, and the spread of malware by only permitting legitimate, rule-compliant traffic.
Firewalls can be implemented as hardware, software, or both, and are essential for enforcing access control, protecting sensitive data, and maintaining overall network security.
By filtering traffic, firewalls also help organizations comply with regulatory requirements and support network segmentation and resource management.
A firewall’s core purpose is to control which network traffic is allowed or blocked, protecting the network from unauthorized access and threats.
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