防火墙

• Pinyin: fáng huǒ qiáng
• Hanzi breakdown: 防 = 阝+ 方 (protective earthwork); 火 = 火 (flame — fire); 墙 = 土 + 啬 (earth and enclosure — an enclosing wall)

Meaning

Firewall. In computing, a network security system that monitors and controls traffic based on predetermined rules; in construction, a fire-resistant wall designed to prevent the spread of flames.

The computing sense now dominates modern usage. Used extensively in IT, cybersecurity, and network administration. Can also be used metaphorically to describe institutional or legal barriers that prevent undesired flows of information or influence.

Examples

1. 企业的IT部门在发现系统遭受大规模入侵尝试后，立即升级了防火墙配置，并对全员账户密码进行了强制重置。 After discovering large-scale intrusion attempts, the company’s IT department immediately upgraded its firewall configuration and forced a password reset for all employee accounts.
2. 国家层面的网络防火墙对境外部分平台和内容实施了访问限制，这一政策在国内外引发了广泛讨论。 A national-level internet firewall restricts access to some overseas platforms and content, a policy that has sparked widespread debate both domestically and internationally.
3. 古代建筑群中，工匠会在木结构建筑之间修建砖石防火墙，以防止一旦发生火灾时火势蔓延殃及整片建筑。 In ancient building complexes, craftsmen would build brick-and-stone firewalls between wooden structures to prevent a fire from spreading and engulfing the entire site.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, security, construction, policy

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 公司的网络安全团队每季度对防火墙规则进行一次全面审计，确保所有入站流量均符合最新的安全策略要求。(The company's cybersecurity team conducts a comprehensive audit of the firewall rules every quarter to ensure all inbound traffic complies with the latest security policy requirements.)
• 在这栋历史建筑的修缮过程中，工程师按照文物保护规范，对相邻建筑之间原有的防火墙进行了加固而非拆除。(During the restoration of this historical building, engineers reinforced rather than demolished the existing firewalls between adjacent structures, in accordance with cultural heritage conservation standards.)

Don't Say

• 装一个防火墙 — in IT contexts, 防火墙 is configured (配置) or deployed (部署), not simply installed like a physical object; say 部署防火墙 or 配置防火墙

Origin & History

防 (prevent) + 火 (fire) + 墙 (wall) — a wall that prevents fire from spreading, extended metaphorically to digital security

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal