What is a digital firewall?

About:

• A digital firewall is a software-based network security device that monitors and filters network traffic based on predefined security rules.
• It is designed to prevent unauthorized access to a network by controlling incoming and outgoing traffic.
• Digital firewalls can be installed on individual devices, such as computers or servers, and are often used in conjunction with other security measures like antivirus software to provide comprehensive protection against cyber threats.
• Though in recent times they are associated with censorship by oppressive governments, firewalls were meant to be a security tool.
• Large firewalls like the Great Firewall of China, for example, are highly complex cybersecurity tools maintained at scale to prevent people from accessing large sections of the Internet.
  • That means nation-states can entirely stop citizens from accessing the most commonly used websites on the Internet, eg. social media.