Firewalls

A firewall is a part of a computer system or network that is designed to block unauthorized access while permitting outward communication.  It is a device or set of devices configured to permit, deny, encrypt, decrypt, or proxy all computer traffic between different security domains based upon a set of rules and other criteria.

Firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and software, or a combination of both. Firewalls are frequently used to prevent unauthorized Internet users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially intranets. All messages entering or leaving the intranet pass through the firewall, which examines each message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security criteria.

There are several types of firewall techniques:

1. Packet filter: Looks at each packet entering or leaving the network and accepts or rejects it based on user-defined rules. Packet filtering is fairly effective and transparent to users, but it is difficult to configure. In addition, it is susceptible to IP spoofing.
2. Application gateway: Applies security mechanisms to specific applications, such as FTP and Telnet servers. This is very effective, but can impose a performance degradation.
3. Proxy server: Intercepts all messages entering and leaving the network. The proxy server effectively hides the true network addresses.

For over a decade, WatchGuard® has provided reliable, easy-to-manage firewall and VPN appliances to hundreds of thousands of businesses worldwide.  The Firebox X Core e-Series XTM security appliance is the smart choice for businesses that want a strong network security solution with an easy, affordable way to extend capacity, performance, and networking capabilities as business requirements change. It integrates application layer content inspection with robust security subscriptions for an unbeatable combination of network defense capabilities. Includes WAN and VPN failover to increase performance, redundancy, and reliability. Multiple VPN choices deliver flexibility for secure remote access.

Each Watchguard X Core e Series includes the following critical components:

•  Application proxy firewall, full-featured VPN (both IPSec and SSL), intrusion prevention, URL filtering, spam blocking, anti-virus and anti-spyware capabilities are fully integrated to ensure your network is prepared to block any attack.

•  Multiple layers of anti-spyware defenses keep sensitive corporate data out of jeopardy and your company in line with stringent compliance standards

•  Protection for your remote workers is easier with the Core. It has the broadest range of remote access capabilities in its class, including IPSec and SSL VPN

•  Network administrators save time while gaining granular control and unprecedented visibility into the network using a single centralized management console

•  It's easy to increase capacity and networking/security capabilities as your business needs grow using a simple software license key - you save money because no new hardware is required

•  Firebox X Core is the acknowledged price-performance leader in firewall and anti-virus throughput in its class. Read the Network World review to see what this can mean for your network.