Ace the CompTIA ITF+ 2026 – Unleash Your Inner Tech Wiz!

Firewalls play a crucial role in network security by monitoring and controlling both incoming and outgoing network traffic. They act as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, such as the internet. By analyzing data packets, firewalls can determine whether to allow or block specific traffic based on predefined security rules. This capability helps protect networks from unauthorized access, cyber-attacks, and other potential security threats by ensuring that only safe and legitimate traffic is permitted while potentially dangerous traffic is blocked.

In contrast, other choices don't encapsulate the primary function of firewalls. For instance, while encryption is important for securing data, it is not a function performed by firewalls. Additionally, enabling internet access pertains more to routing and connectivity rather than the security functions of a firewall. Lastly, storing user data is unrelated to the firewall's purpose, as firewalls focus on traffic management rather than data storage.