WAF vs Firewall

A WAF, web application firewall, and firewall are online tools that provide security to web applications and monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic, respectively. We will review the key differences, similarities, and advantages of using web application firewalls and firewalls.

What is a WAF?

WAF, or web application firewall, is a security tool that protects web applications from cyberattacks, such as cross-site scripting (XSS), file inclusion, and SQL injection. WAF protects web applications by screening and scanning HTTP traffic between the web application and the internet. Web application firewalls can be used in various forms, from cloud-based to on-premises.

What is a Firewall?

A firewall is a security system commonly implemented in computer networks to protect a computer from incoming and outgoing data. One of the most frequently used firewalls is designed to protect a local personal computer from the internet. This is done by following a set of rules and policies that will automatically block and filter any data packages that might result in being suspicious. There can be software firewalls, hardware firewalls, and also cloud-based firewalls.

Advantages of Using a WAF

Web application firewall provides various benefits, which include:

• Security – WAFs protect web applications from cyberattacks, such as cross-site scripting (XSS), file inclusion, and SQL injection. WAFs also reduce the risks of data breaches by blocking malicious traffic.
• Compliance – WAFs are effective in helping companies comply with security regulations.
• Efficiency – WAFs can automate tasks involved in protecting web applications, freeing time for security teams to focus on other security tasks.
• Visibility – A WAF can provide detailed information about web application traffic, such as requests, traffic sources, and blocked attacks.
• Performance – By caching static content and blocking malicious traffic, WAFs can reduce the load on web servers and improve performance.

Advantages of Using a Firewall

Using a firewall can provide various benefits that include:

• Security – Using firewalls can strengthen network security and reduce the risk of cyberattacks, unauthorized access, and data breaches.
• Control – Firewalls give more control over how your network users access the internet, which can reduce the risks of accessing unauthorized websites or services and limit the amount of time spent online.
• Filtering – Firewalls can filter network traffic, which helps improve performance and reduce the risk of unnecessary traffic running through a network.

The Winner

A web application firewall and a firewall are great ways to improve network security as they complement each other and serve different purposes. WAFs protect web applications, while a firewall protects networks from cyber threats.