What is the purpose of a firewall?

Firewalls play a critical role in network security by monitoring and controlling the flow of traffic in and out of a network. Their primary purpose is to enforce security policies by allowing or blocking data packets based on predefined rules. This helps protect networks from unauthorized access, attacks, and threats such as malware and viruses.

While the options might touch on different aspects of digital technology, the specific function of a firewall is closely tied to its ability to filter traffic based on security parameters. By managing this traffic, firewalls help maintain the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive data and provide a barrier between trusted internal networks and untrusted external sources. This is essential for safeguarding information in both personal and organizational settings.