Definition

1. Noun:
   • A fireproof or fire-resistant barrier: A physical wall specifically designed and constructed to prevent or slow the spread of fire within a building or vehicle.
   • A network security system: In computing, a system (comprising hardware, software, or both) that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules, acting as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks.
   • Maximum thrust setting: (Colloquial) The position of an aircraft's throttle that provides the maximum available engine power.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Physical Barrier):
  • The building code requires a firewall between the garage and the living area.
  • The vehicle's firewall protected the passengers from the engine compartment fire.
• Noun (Computing):
  • A good firewall is essential to protect your computer from hackers.
  • The company's network administrator configured the firewall to block suspicious traffic.
• Noun (Colloquial: Thrust):
  • The pilot pushed the throttle to the firewall to gain altitude quickly.
  • In an emergency, he advanced the controls to the firewall.

Advanced Usage

• "to be behind a firewall": To be on a network or computer protected by a firewall system.
  • The sensitive financial data is behind a corporate firewall.
• "to firewall something off": To isolate a part of a network or system using a firewall for security.
  • The IT department firewalled off the infected server to contain the virus.

Variants and Related Words

• Firewalled (adj): Describing a system or network protected by a firewall.
  • All company laptops are firewalled.
• Firewalling (gerund/noun): The act or process of implementing or managing a firewall.
  • Proper firewalling requires constant updates.

Synonyms

• Barrier: A structure that blocks passage (for the physical and computing senses).
• Bulkhead: A dividing wall or barrier within a structure (similar to the physical sense).
• Security gateway: A network node providing firewall functionality (for the computing sense).
• Max power: Full, unrestricted thrust (for the colloquial sense).

Related Phrases

• Personal firewall: A software-based firewall designed to protect a single computer.
  • She installed a personal firewall on her home PC.
• Firewall rule: A specific configuration that defines what traffic the firewall should allow or block.
  • Creating a precise firewall rule can be complex.

Related Idioms

• A human firewall: Refers to employees who are trained to follow security protocols and prevent security breaches through their actions.
  • Security training aims to turn every employee into a human firewall.

Noun

1. a fireproof (or fire-resistant) wall designed to prevent the spread of fire through a building or a vehicle
2. (computing) a security system consisting of a combination of hardware and software that limits the exposure of a computer or computer network to attack from crackers; commonly used on local area networks that are connected to the internet
3. (colloquial) the application of maximum thrust
   • he moved the throttle to the firewall