A firewall is a cybersecurity tool that filters network traffic and can separate internal and external traffic sources. There are several types of firewalls including packet filtering, circuit-level gateway, stateful inspection, proxy, and next-gen firewalls. Firewalls can be implemented as software, hardware, or cloud-based solutions. They protect devices from unauthorized access, block unwanted content, and help keep private information secure. The appropriate firewall type for an organization depends on its needs and tolerances regarding protection capabilities and performance impacts.