Firewalls Questions Medium
The main difference between an inbound firewall rule and an outbound firewall rule lies in the direction of network traffic they control.
An inbound firewall rule is designed to monitor and control incoming network traffic from external sources to a local network or device. It acts as a barrier between the external network and the internal network, filtering and allowing only authorized traffic to enter the network or device. Inbound firewall rules are typically used to protect against external threats, such as unauthorized access attempts, malware, or hacking attempts.
On the other hand, an outbound firewall rule focuses on monitoring and controlling outgoing network traffic from the local network or device to external destinations. It regulates the flow of data leaving the network, ensuring that only authorized and safe traffic is allowed to pass through. Outbound firewall rules are primarily used to prevent data leakage, unauthorized communication, or the transmission of malicious content from within the network.
In summary, while both inbound and outbound firewall rules serve the purpose of network security, they differ in the direction of traffic they control. Inbound rules protect against external threats, while outbound rules prevent unauthorized or malicious data from leaving the network.