Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A web application firewall, or WAF, examines incoming HTTP or HTTPS traffic and applies rules intended to identify or block certain malicious requests. It may help reduce exposure to common application attacks, unwanted automation, or abusive request patterns, depending on how it is configured. For a small service business with contact forms, a WAF can be one layer of protection for the public website. It does not replace secure software updates, careful access controls, backups, or monitoring. Malware scanning looks for suspicious or harmful files or behavior; a WAF focuses mainly on filtering web requests. Rules need review because overly aggressive protection can also block legitimate customers.