Host-Based Firewall

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What Does Host-Based Firewall Mean?

A host-based firewall is a piece of firewall software that runs on an individual computer or device connected to a network. These types of firewalls are a granular way to protect the individual hosts from viruses and malware, and to control the spread of these harmful infections throughout the network.

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Techopedia Explains Host-Based Firewall

Some companies use host-based firewalls in addition to perimeter-based firewalls in order to enhance internal security. For example, some of the malware attacks that may get past a perimeter firewall can be stopped at the individual device or workstation, using a host-based firewall.

A host-based firewall setup can also be simpler for some users. The host-based firewall can also be configured to the particular computer, where customization can make the firewall more effective.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology expert

Margaret is an award-winning writer and educator known for her ability to explain complex technical topics to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles in the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret’s idea of ​​a fun day is to help IT and business professionals to learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.