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Firewalls are the most basic form of protection that any computer user can have for their network. While the most technologically advanced people know that there are over six different types of firewalls that you can have on your computer, the basic computer user assumes that every firewall is similar to each other. Here is a look at the various type of firewalls that you can have on your network.
Stateless Inspection Firewall. A stateless inspection firewall is a firewall that will monitor incoming and outgoing traffic. It will filter out any unauthorized users or attacks on your computer system. Stateless firewalls are the most stable of all the firewalls but this is because it contains fewer features than the other firewalls.
Stateful Inspection Firewall. Stateful Inspection firewalls are the most commonly used firewalls by computer users. These firewalls monitor the incoming and outgoing traffic to your network. They also will monitor your internet connection and watch for anyone making unknown changes to your connection that you are unaware of. Stateful inspection firewalls are not the quickest types of firewalls and therefore hackers have figured out how to get around a lot of them and get into your system before the firewall has picked up that there is unauthorized action on your network.
Reverse Firewalls. The typical way that firewalls work is that they filter the incoming data to a system. A reverse firewall works directly the opposite. These firewalls will block any massive outgoing data that is not authorized to be sent out. These types of firewalls are typically used by large companies that do not want all their information getting out should a virus attack happen.
Application Firewalls. Some programs allow you to put specific firewalls on the applications that you use. This means that you can protect your instant messaging system, emails or peer-to-peer download program. These firewalls work like regular firewalls but only apply to the application not the whole system.