What distinguishes an active firewall from a passive firewall?

An active firewall is defined by its capability to actively manage traffic based on predefined rules, which allows it to block or allow traffic in real time. This functionality is integral to its role in protecting a network from unauthorized access and threats by continuously analyzing incoming and outgoing data packets and making decisions on whether to permit or deny them based on security policies.

In contrast, a passive firewall typically only monitors and logs network traffic without taking any direct action to influence that traffic flow. It serves primarily as a tool for analyzing and understanding network usage and potential threats, but it does not engage in immediate intervention.

This distinction is critical in understanding how firewalls operate within a network's security architecture. Active firewalls enhance security through real-time interaction with the data traffic, while passive firewalls contribute valuable oversight and intelligence but lack the capability to directly shape traffic behavior.