Common Firewall Rules
Firewalls play a vital role in network security by monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic. Here are some common firewall rules that enhance cyber defense:
- Allow established connections: Permit traffic for ongoing connections to ensure that responses to requests can return without restrictions.
- Block all inbound traffic: By default, deny all inbound connections unless specifically allowed to minimize exposure to potential threats.
- Allow outbound traffic: Enable outbound connections for users to access external resources while monitoring the traffic to detect any anomalies.
- Allow traffic on specific ports: Permit access only to essential services by allowing traffic on specific ports, such as HTTP (80) and HTTPS (443).
- Implement IP whitelisting: Limit access by allowing only specific IP addresses that are known to be safe, enhancing the security posture.
- Log and monitor traffic: Store logs of all traffic and conduct regular reviews to identify suspicious patterns of activity that may indicate a breach.
By enforcing these common firewall rules, organizations can create a robust line of defense against unauthorized access and other cyber threats.