DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENHANCED FIREWALL SYSTEM FOR NETWORK SECURITY

Abstract

The Internet and computer networks face increasing security threats on a daily basis. With new types of attacks emerging regularly, the development of flexible and adaptive security-oriented approaches, such as firewalls, has become a critical challenge. This study aimed to design and implement a multi-layered protective system capable of preventing intrusions of any type in networks connected to the Internet. The proposed enhanced firewall system integrates multiple security mechanisms, including a firewall, push notification service, malware filtering system, and intrusion detection system, to provide comprehensive protection. To achieve this, a firewall framework was proposed, with its features outlined in the introduction. A literature review was conducted to examine related works in the field of network and Internet security. Additionally, an existing system was studied, and a design phase was carried out to improve on identified gaps. The methodology adopted was the Object-Oriented Analysis and Design Methodology (OOADM), which facilitated systematic modeling of the system’s components and interactions. The enhanced firewall system—incorporating intrusion detection and push notification—was developed using the Visual Basic programming language and Microsoft Access database system. This work demonstrates that integrating multiple layers of protection enhances the ability of firewalls to mitigate evolving threats in Internet and network security environments.