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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/tech-firewall-ruleset

Which information commonly drives a basic firewall ruleset?

Rules commonly match protocols and source or destination addresses.

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  3. Protocols and network addresses ✔

Why: A packet-filtering firewall compares traffic with policy rules. Common fields include source and destination addresses, protocols, ports, interfaces, and direction.

Huh, didn't know that: Firewall policy can filter outbound traffic as well as inbound traffic.

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The firewall checked the packet's address before letting it through the gate.
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References

Answer: Protocols and network addresses. A packet-filtering firewall compares traffic with policy rules. Common fields include source and destination addresses, protocols, ports, interfaces, and direction.

  1. NIST SP 800-41 Rev. 1 nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/legacy/sp/nistspecialpublication800-41r1.pdf
    what types of traffic (protocols, source and destination addresses, etc.) are required by approved applications
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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