What types of attacks can firewalls help mitigate?

Firewalls are essential components in network security and play a crucial role in controlling incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined security rules. They act as a barrier between trusted internal networks and untrusted external networks, such as the internet.

The correct answer highlights that firewalls help mitigate unauthorized access and Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. Unauthorized access refers to attempts by individuals or systems to access network resources without permission. Firewalls are designed to block traffic that does not conform to defined access rules, helping prevent unauthorized users from accessing sensitive data or systems.

On the other hand, Denial of Service (DoS) attacks aim to overwhelm a service or network, making it unavailable to legitimate users. Firewalls can identify and filter out malicious traffic patterns commonly associated with DoS attacks, thus protecting the network from becoming overwhelmed by a flood of requests.

While other types of attacks, like physical intrusions and malware infections, can be addressed through different security measures (such as physical security protocols and antivirus software), these are not mainly mitigated by firewalls. Similarly, user errors and device misconfigurations typically require different approaches, such as user training and rigorous configuration management. Data theft and identity fraud may involve more complex threats that extend beyond the capabilities of