A firewall is simply another node on your network. Firewalls such as Cisco PIX and Checkpoint Firewall1 maintain a stronger security presence, but each operates in its own unique manner.

Hackers learn about your rulesets, firewalls, and their versions through the use of the following:

  • port scanning
  • banner grabbing
  • firewalking

To help minimize this danger, firewalls need to be maintained and patched just like any other node on your network.