Firewall

"Firewall" is a security system consisting of software or hardware that is designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. Indiana University defines it as “a system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. You can implement a firewall in either hardware or software form, or a combination of both. Firewalls prevent unauthorized Internet users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially intranets. All messages entering or leaving the intranet (i.e., the local network to which you are connected) must pass through the firewall, which examines each message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security criteria.” What is a Firewall?