An application firewall is an enhanced firewall that
limits access by applications to the operating system (OS) of a computer. Conventional firewalls
merely control the flow of data to and from the central processing unit (CPU), examining
each packet
and determining whether or not to forward it toward a particular destination. An application
firewall offers additional protection by controlling the execution of files or the handling of data
by specific applications.
For best performance, a conventional firewall must be configured by the user. The user must know
which ports
unwanted data is likely to enter or leave through. An application firewall prevents the execution
of programs or DLL (dynamic link library) files which have been tampered with. Thus, even though an
intruder might get past a conventional firewall and gain entry to a computer, server, or network,
destructive activity can be forestalled because the application firewall does not allow any
suspected malicious code to execute.
This was last updated in September 2006
Email Alerts
Register now to receive SearchSoftwareQuality.com-related news, tips and more, delivered to your inbox.
By submitting you agree to receive email from TechTarget and its partners. If you reside outside of the United States, you consent to having your personal data transferred to and processed in the United States.
Privacy
More News and Tutorials
-
Software consultant Nari Kannan describes how agile practices and work can be scaled appropriately for success in large organizations. Using lean thinking, reduction of waste, and appropriately organizing work and people, agile can be successfully adapted, regardless of the size of the organization.
-
Undiscovered software glitches in complex systems are common, and one of the primary drivers is the loss of mainframe knowledge of a retiring workforce. Software glitches are lurking in many large systems, particularly mainframe systems, and the COBOL programmers that understand the code best are retiring, according to Jeff Papows, author of the new book, "Glitch - The hidden impact of faulty software." Papows describes how faulty software caused a huge charge to debit card holder's account and why such mistakes are on the rise in this interview. Papows notes the three most pressing drivers for software glitches: loss of intellectual knowledge, market consolidation and the ubiquity of technology
-
Karen Johnson suggests a variety of ways that testers can gain additional skills and experience, including social networking and open source testing.
-
Articles
-
Resources from around the Web
