The term "firewall" originally meant, and still means, a fireproof wall intended to prevent the spread of fire from one room or area of a building to another. The Internet is a volatile and unsafe environment when viewed from a computer-security perspective, therefore "firewall" is an excellent metaphor for network security.
In computer networking, the term firewall is not merely descriptive of a general idea. It has come to mean some very precise things.
Definition:
In computer networking, the term firewall is not merely descriptive of a general idea. It has come to mean some very precise things.
Definition:
“Any number of security schemes that prevent unauthorized
users from gaining access to a computer network or that
monitor transfers of information to and from the network.”
