NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.
Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.
An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Keeping Your Site Comfortably Secure: An Introduction to Internet Firewalls
Published
Author(s)
John P. Wack, Lisa J. Carnahan
Abstract
This document provides an overview of the Internet and security-related problems. It then provides an overview of firewall components and the general reasoning behind firewall usage. Several types of network access policies are described, as well as technical implementations of those policies. Lastly, the document contains pointers and references for more detailed information. The document is designed to assist users in understanding the nature of Internet-related security problems and what types of firewalls will solve or alleviate specific problems. Users can then use this document to assist in purchasing or planning a firewall.
Wack, J.
and Carnahan, L.
(1994),
Keeping Your Site Comfortably Secure: An Introduction to Internet Firewalls, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
(Accessed October 10, 2025)