Check Point created the first firewall using "stateful inspection" -- the second-generation of firewall technology widely used today.

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Yet ironically, as Microsoft slowly improves the security of its products by, for instance, incorporating firewall technology, anti-virus systems and spam filters its actions increasingly start to resemble those that, in the past, have got the firm into trouble with regulators.

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It demanded he improve his technology, including installing a new higher-grade firewall.

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