These security policies are often based on known web attack signatures, including scanpoints like HTTP Headers, HTTP Request Body and HTTP Response Body. Crucially, a WAF can be used to protect multiple applications that it is placed in front of.Ī WAF uses a set of rules called policies to filter out malicious traffic from taking advantage of application vulnerabilities including the OWASP Top 10. Reverse-proxies on the other hand ensures that the clients pass through it before reaching a server. A proxy server is an intermediary that protects a client machine. When deploying a WAF, it acts as a reverse-proxy shield between an application and the internet. They are essential to analyze the traffic going to and from a web application and to prevent attacks that might otherwise go undetected through a traditional network firewall and can be used as part of a positive or negative security model. Their role is limited to inspecting packets over the IP and TCP/UDP protocol and filtering traffic based on IP addresses, protocol types and port numbers.Ī WAF on the other hand operates at Layer 7 (L7) of the OSI model and can understand web application protocols. These are deployed around networks and operate in the Layers 3 to 4 in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model. Implementing traditional firewalls have been a basic cybersecurity practice for a while.

How Does a Web Application Firewall (WAF) Work?Ī WAF works by filtering, monitoring, and blocking suspicious HTTP/s traffic between a web application and the internet. Looking for a WAF Solution? Check out CDNetwork’s Application Shield. This is where WAFs provide specialized capabilities and thwart attacks specifically aimed at the applications themselves. Standard firewalls act as the first level of security but today’s websites and web services need more security. It acts as a barrier between your network and the open internet.Ī web application firewall is a specific type of firewall that focuses on the traffic going to and leaving web apps. A Web Application Firewall or WAF is a network security system that helps protect web applications from various types of attacks by making sure that a web server only receives legitimate traffic.įirewalls are systems that monitor and control traffic that enters and leaves the network.

Web application firewall