What does a firewall do?

I don't know a ton about firewalls. I'm looking for a lot of information.

I know that software firewalls are often stateful/ aware of multiple packets. I know they can monitor inbound and outbound and inbounds that are unsolicited are almost always blocked by default.

Are there ways to break into them? Known issues? What other features?

I'm looking to learn as much as possible about this.

 

That is one deep question Hungry Man

To answer your question I am going to refer you to the following book. It will answer all of the questions that you
have asked in this Post and much much more. Very rewarding knowledge.


TITLE = Best Damn Firewall Book Period
AUTHORS = Robert J. Shimonski, Debrs Littlejon Shinder, Dr. Thomas W. Shinder, Anne Carasik-Henmi
PUBLISHER = Syngress
ISBN = 1-931836-90-6
PAGES = 1,293
PRICE = $59.95 USA $92.95 CAN

Google Books - Best Damn Firewall Book Period - Online Preview
http://books.google.com/books?id=q7...&hl=en#v=onepage&q=ISBN 1-931836-90-6&f=false


EDIT: added link


HKEY1952

 

The Stickys in this forum I found really useful, particularly the links in CrazyM's . They are old but it's firewalls we are talking about so most is still relevant.

 

Thanks. I'm trying to learn about them in depth. I will check that book out.

From what I understand they're essentially a set of rules to determine whether ot not to drop packets and some dps.

 

Nothing to do with the functionality.

But why the word "Fire", where does it come from, or wich person named it?
I can understand the use of the word "Wall" but not Fire really.

It's not that I am against it, just curious

 

someone needs to check the exchange rate.

 

Thanks JR

I did read the Swedish Wiki page about Firewalls but it didn't include any history about them. But sometimes it's worth checking out the English one as well.

Though at first I thought I would mention "Maybe it has something to do with the firewalls that we have in our houses/buildings". But I didn't since I actually thought that they didn't have anything to do with them.

 

Here is an short read in layman terms about Firewalls condensed down into four tabs.

Check Point Software Technologies LTD.:
http://www.checkpoint.com/resources/firewall/


HKEY1952

 

I think i would be quite scared being online for hours @ a time w/no firewall... (You cant trust people)

 

I see. Yea it sounds like we got firewalls both here and there.... Buildings, Jet engines, Computers.....

Hehe I remember BlackICE (from IBM if memory serves me well) But I did never try it out though

 

Thanks HKEY1952

 

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/firewall.htm

 

Yeah I've been reading up. Thanks.

 

It blocks things.

 

I think Firestop Is the politically correct term. IMO Intrusion wall fits better then firewall for computers since it has nothing to do with Flames.