A firewall is intended to prevent access to unauthorized users to your computer and websites. A website firewall can be configured to protect your site and web applications from unauthorized access, hackers, denial-of-service attacks and more. It provides security for your web applications and protects your data.
What is a website firewall and how does it work?
A firewall is a set of programs and rules on a network gateway server intended to monitor all traffic coming and going from a website. These rules prevent untrusted data from entering the site. Untrusted data can damage a websites reputation, information, and search engine ranking position. Trusted data will pass through the network and land at its destination.
Websites and web applications are natural targets for hackers as they are available to anyone online 24/7. So why do hackers even bother hacking a website?
- For monetary gain, by stealing credit card and other information.
- For political reasons against websites when they do not hold the same views.
- One country trying to disrupt another country.
- To steal business secrets.
- To steal military secrets.
- To use the hacked website as a base to send out spam or phishing emails.
- To use the hacked website as a base to spread malware and virus to unsuspecting visitors.
- Moreover, sometimes, believe it or not, just for bragging rights!
You can be held responsible if your site is used as a platform to cause damage and disrupt other sites.
Web Application Firewalls
A web application firewall (WAF) is a firewall meant to protect secure (HTTPS) web applications. It adds added layers of security for web-based applications by applying a set of rules to HTTPS. These rules usually protect against threats like SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).
WAF is similar to proxy servers, but while proxies protect computers accessing the web, WAF protects web servers and web-based applications running on web servers. In that sense, a WAF is also called a reverse proxy. WAFs can be set up as server level or application-level firewalls.
Firewall methods
When choosing which firewall method is best, you can select one, or a mixture of, any of the following three methods.
Filtering is self-explanatory as it uses a set of filters to analyze data trying to enter a firewall.
A proxy stands as a security layer between the internet and your website, blocking any unwanted data while allowing good data to pass through.
Inspection uses key elements to decide which data to compare with trusted information to see if it will be allowed to transfer to your website.
Whether using one, two or all three methods, you can be assured your site will is protected from potential hackers and all forms of malicious attacks.
Firewall integration
Flying Cow Design provides integration of firewalls that use an out-of-band management port (MGT). MGT allows you to manage the administrative functions for setting up your firewall rules. These functions are separate from the data processes that allow or block data from entering your website. While MGT is accessible through an online version enabling you to manage the firewall settings, all initial set up must be done through the MGT port.
Determining Management Strategy
Flying Cow Design’s firewalls can either be used locally or remotely using our centralized security management web service. For multiple firewalls being used, our team will set them up, so it is cost effective and reduces complexity. You can see and analyze all traffic and data trying to access your firewall.
Flying Cow Design’s Firewall Integration Process
First, our engineers will analyze your website and industry and determine the firewall specifics you will need. Next, we will perform the following steps to ensure your firewall is sufficient and running seamlessly, protecting your website and data.
- Determine your management strategy
- Perform initial configuration
- Set up network access for external services
- Register the firewall
- Activate licenses and subscriptions
- Manage content updates
- Install software updates
After the initial setup, there will be many features you can access and manage on your own.
Protect your website from hackers and the consequences of hacking! Contact Flying Cow Design to discuss the benefits of integrating a firewall into your site.