What does a firewall do for a server?

A firewall plays a crucial role in enhancing the security of a server by controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic. It acts as a barrier between your internal network and the external world, monitoring data packets to allow or block them based on predetermined security rules. By regulating this traffic, a firewall helps prevent unauthorized access to the server, safeguards sensitive information, and mitigates risks from external threats such as hackers or malware.

This function is vital for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of the data stored on the server, ensuring that only legitimate requests are allowed through while potentially harmful requests are blocked. In this manner, the firewall serves as an essential component of the overall cybersecurity strategy for a server.

For context, options related to enhancing server speed, providing user authentication, or managing database connections focus on different aspects of server functionality that do not involve traffic regulation. These tasks may be managed by different technologies and protocols, which makes them less relevant to the specific role of a firewall.