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DataStructures / Cyber Security Interview Questions

How does a Firewall differ from a Proxy Server?

A firewall controls traffic based on rules like IP address, port, and protocol, deciding whether a packet is allowed through or blocked. A proxy server, by contrast, sits between clients and the destination, actually terminating and re-establishing the connection on the client's behalf.

  • A firewall inspects headers, and sometimes payloads, but generally passes traffic straight through
  • A proxy fully intercepts the request, can cache content, and can rewrite or filter it before forwarding
  • A forward proxy hides internal clients from external servers; a reverse proxy hides internal servers from external clients

The two are often deployed together: a firewall handles broad network-level filtering, while a proxy adds application-aware inspection, caching, and anonymization on top.

What does a proxy server do that a basic firewall does not?
What does a reverse proxy hide?

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