What is the primary purpose of a firewall in a network?

The primary purpose of a firewall is to filter incoming and outgoing traffic. Firewalls act as a security barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, such as the internet. They analyze data packets and determine whether to allow or block them based on predetermined security rules. This helps protect the network from unauthorized access and potential threats, such as malware and attackers trying to exploit vulnerabilities.

By controlling what traffic is allowed in and out of the network, firewalls help maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the organization's data and resources. They can also be configured to monitor and log traffic, providing an additional layer of visibility and security management.

In contrast, other options do not align with the fundamental role of a firewall. Enhancing internet speed is not a function of a firewall; its primary aim is security. Managing user passwords and providing login services fall under the responsibilities of identity and access management systems or other security mechanisms, rather than the core functionality of firewalls.