What does a firewall primarily protect against?

A firewall primarily protects against unauthorized access and attacks by acting as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, such as the internet. It monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. By filtering this traffic, a firewall can block malicious activities, such as hacking attempts or unauthorized data access, ensuring that only legitimate traffic is allowed to enter or leave the network.

Firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and software formats and serve as an essential component of a network security system. They play a crucial role in safeguarding sensitive information and can help to prevent breaches, thus maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of data.

In contrast, data storage loss refers to situations like hardware failure or accidental deletion, which are addressed through different backup and recovery measures. A slow internet connection typically relates to issues with the internet service provider or network congestion, rather than security. Outdated software can pose security risks, but it is not the primary role of a firewall to protect against software that isn’t current; instead, it focuses on the control of network traffic.