Common Firewall Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

A misconfigured firewall could make your network vulnerable to attacks and allow hackers easy access to sensitive information. However, if you are on a rented firewall, it is important to know these common mistakes as they can put your business in harm’s way.

Come in and explore some of the common firewall mistakes and how to correct them.

1. Open Ports

It is a major security risk to leave ports open. Uncontrolled open ports open the way for hackers into your network.

How to Avoid This Mistake

• Ports Closing – Ensure to open only necessary ports and conduct periodic reviews of your firewall settings.
• Port Segmentation – Limit access to specific ports based on business needs.
• Monitor Open Ports – Use tools to detect suspicious activity.

When you get a firewall rented, look for pre-configured security from a provider to minimize risk on unnecessary open ports.

2. Weak Default Rules

When people implement firewalls, the common implementation is too permissive, allowing more traffic than actually needed. Sloppy rules allow attackers to sneak around your defenses.

How to Avoid This Mistake

• Tailor the Firewall Rules – Default settings should never be relied upon. Set rules tuned to your particular security requirements.
• Enforce Least Privilege Access – Grant only as much access as necessary.
• Regularly Audit Rules – Review and update firewall rules regularly to meet changing security needs.

When an EC2 firewall is installed, inquire if the firewall is configured with predefined rules after installation. A decent provider will ensure your rented firewall is secure by default.

3. Lack of Logging

Without logging, your firewall won’t alert you to unusual activity. It also assists in the identification of security threats and troubleshooting issues.

How to Avoid This Mistake

• Enable Firewall Logging – Enable logging options and store logs in a safe location.
• Log Review – Establish alerts for unusual activity like excessive failed logins or misattributed IPs reaching the network.
• Backup Log Files – Back up logs for referencing older security incidents in case a breach occurs.

Be sure your rented firewall includes extensive logging capabilities. Proper logs are necessary to detect and respond to incidents in a timely manner.

4. Outdated Firmware

Using an old firewall firmware makes the system more vulnerable to attacks. Hackers are always looking for weaknesses, and if you don’t keep your firewall up-to-date, you’re a sitting duck.

How to Avoid This Mistake

• Enable Automatic Updates – Enable automatic updates for firmware, if applicable, to protect against the latest threats.
• Schedule Manual Checks – If automatic updates are unavailable, regularly update the firmware.
• Check with Your Provider – When you rent a firewall, ensure that your provider offers timely firmware updates.

Keeping firewall firmware up-to-date should be a top priority to tackle new security threats that businesses face.

5. No Access Control

Having too many users with access to your firewall can create security holes. Unauthorized changes could undermine security policies without anyone knowing or addressing the problem.

How to Avoid This Mistake

• Limit Admin Access – Ensure only trusted personnel have permission to update firewall settings.
• Use Multi-Factor Authentication – Implement multiple measures to verify admin access.
• Change Access Logs – Keep a log of who makes changes to the firewall settings and when.

For those who rent a firewall, ask your provider about access control. The firewall should provide secured access-only mechanisms to restrict unauthorized configurations.

Final Thoughts

Firewall misconfiguration is one of the top IT security risks for enterprises. Whether you are purchasing or renting a firewall, it’s essential to understand these common mistakes and how to mitigate them.

Your business can mitigate most security risks by closing open ports, tightening firewall rules, enabling logging, updating firmware, and controlling access.

There are many vendors available, but make sure to select the right one that can provide a secure firewall with all the necessary security parameters effectively.

Get started today and safeguard your data from cyber threats.