1️⃣ What Is a Firewall?
A firewall acts as a barrier between your trusted internal network and the outside world.
It monitors and filters incoming and outgoing traffic based on security rules.
👉 Types of Firewalls:
- Network Firewalls: Protect the entire network.
- Host-based Firewalls: Protect individual devices.
- Next-Gen Firewalls (NGFW): Add threat detection and prevention tools.
2️⃣ What Is a WAF (Web Application Firewall)?
A WAF focuses on your web applications, blocking attacks that target your website’s code — such as:
- SQL Injection
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
- DDoS attacks
💡 Example:
If a hacker tries to inject malicious code into your login form, a WAF can detect and block it instantly.
3️⃣ Firewall vs WAF — What’s the Difference?
| Firewall | WAF |
|---|---|
| Protects your network | Protects your website/apps |
| Works at lower network layers | Works at application layer |
| Filters packets & ports | Filters HTTP/HTTPS traffic |
| Stops malware, intrusions | Stops web-based attacks |
4️⃣ Why Both Matter in 2025
- More businesses are moving to cloud-based systems.
- Attackers exploit web app vulnerabilities more often than networks.
- Layered defense is key — use both for complete protection.