Firewalls: What are They, and Why are They Important?

If your business uses the internet regularly (and in 2022, what business doesn’t?), then you need to think about security.

Changing your passwords frequently and not clicking any suspicious links are good safety practices. However, if your internet security ends there, you need celito.

celito is your premier source for fiber internet in Raleigh, NC, and we are here to support your local business’ success. We don’t just get you set up; we provide top-notch service to optimize your office with our unique Internet solutions.

The first step to internet security for your business is setting up a firewall, and celito’s expert IT consulting in Raleigh will help you.

What Is a Firewall?

Firewalls have been around since the 1980s, and they are a basic but critical element of online security.

Like its name implies, a firewall is a barrier. Think of it like a gate at your computer’s entry ports. The firewall monitors traffic moving between your private network and the broader Internet.

A firewall decides which incoming connections to allow and which to block. It works with security guidelines and IP addresses to determine whether a connection is safe.

Without a firewall, anyone can wander into your network and access potentially sensitive data, such as contact information, passwords, and banking.

What Are the Types of Firewalls?

Now that you understand the basics of a firewall, you will need to familiarize yourself with the different types of firewalls.

Some firewalls are software, and some are hardware. However, a combination of both soft and hard firewalls increases security, because they serve similar but distinct purposes.

Hardware firewalls are a physical barrier installed between your gateway and your network, whereas a software firewall is a program on your computer that works with your ports and applications.

Cloud-based firewalls are also great options for businesses that work across multiple computers, providing protection across an entire organization.

Specific sub-categories of firewalls include:

  • Packet-filtering firewalls: the most common type of firewall, which examines packets based on security rules either without context (a stateless firewall) or based on memory from previous packets (a stateful firewall)
  • Proxy firewalls: a software firewall that serves as a liaison between the personal network and an application

Unsure of the best choice for you? celito’s expert IT consulting in Raleigh can help you pick the firewall that suits your business’ unique needs.

Do I Need a Firewall?

Yes.

Firewalls are essential tools for internet security for both business and personal devices. Without a firewall, anyone can access your data, and you leave yourself vulnerable to cybercriminals.

The benefits of a firewall include:

  • Securing private and sensitive data
  • Preventing data loss
  • Protecting from malware, viruses, and hackers
  • Avoiding network crashes

celito’s team will help you set up a firewall and determine other steps that may be necessary for your business’ Raleigh fiber internet security.

Firewalls and Other Internet Solutions with celito

It’s never too early to think about internet security, and you definitely don’t want to be thinking about it when it is too late.

celito is a Raleigh fiber internet provider, and we strive to support other businesses in our community. Our dedicated local team doesn’t just set you up with better, more reliable internet. We will stand by your side every step of the way.

In addition to providing high-speed fiber internet in Raleigh, NC, we also provide other internet solutions like VoIP phone, data centers, and IT consulting.

Ready to give local a shot? Contact us today to get a quote and make sure that you can keep doing business efficiently and securely.