Most Websites Do Not Need a Web Application Firewall, Says Freelock

John Locke addressed a query about the necessity of implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) for website security. He explained that while a WAF can block certain attacks such as cross-site scripting and SQL injection, its effectiveness largely overlaps with regular software maintenance and secure hosting practices. Locke emphasized that most websites do not need a WAF unless required by compliance standards, facing frequent denial-of-service attacks, handling highly confidential customer data, operating on inadequately secured hosting environments, or failing to apply regular security updates. He cautioned that adding a WAF introduces more system complexity, maintenance costs, and potential security risks if not properly managed. Locke concluded that improving hosting environments and maintaining up-to-date software generally offer better risk management than relying on a WAF.