the.com/firewall
the bouncer that judges every packet by where it's been, not what it wants
means A security system, hardware or software, that monitors and controls network traffic between a trusted internal network and untrusted outside ones, blocking or permitting it according to set rules.
from A compound of the very literal kind: a 'firewall' was originally a physical barrier of brick or masonry built to stop a fire from spreading from one part of a building (or one car engine compartment) to another. The networking sense is a metaphor borrowed in the late 20th century, when computer engineers needed a name for the wall that keeps the blaze of the open internet from spreading into your private systems.
- original meaning
- A literal wall stopping building fires from spreading
- first network firewall
- Born around 1988 at Digital Equipment Corp
- great firewall
- China's blocks traffic for over a billion people
- default deny
- Best ones reject everything not explicitly allowed
- car version
- Metal panel separating engine from your knees
great wall of china — physical defensive barrier built over 2,000 years across northern china to prevent invasions
hadrian's wall — roman fortification built 122 ad across northern britain, 73 miles long
palo alto networks — major cybersecurity company founded 2010, specializes in firewall software and threat prevention