# Great Firewall

> censorship of the Internet in the People's Republic of China

**Wikidata**: [Q5370363](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5370363)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Firewall)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/great-firewall

## Summary
The Great Firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls Internet traffic in the People's Republic of China based on predetermined security rules. It represents a comprehensive system of Internet censorship implemented by the Chinese government. The system began operation in 1996 and continues to regulate online content and access.

## Key Facts
- Started operation in 1996 as Internet censorship system in China
- Also known as GFW, 防火长城 (Great Firewall), and 功夫网
- Classified as both a firewall and intrusion detection system
- Operates on Linux operating system
- Has 40 Wikipedia sitelinks across multiple languages
- Part of WikiProject Human rights focus list
- Has Commons category for media files
- Listed on Quora topic page for Great Firewall of China
- Connected to Henan Firewall as regional implementation
- Referenced in The Next Web vocabulary with specific URL

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Great Firewall of China?
A: The Great Firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls Internet traffic in China based on predetermined security rules. It functions as both a firewall and intrusion detection system to regulate online content and access.

### Q: When did the Great Firewall start?
A: The Great Firewall began operation in 1996 as part of China's Internet censorship infrastructure. It has been continuously operating since then to monitor and control online content.

### Q: What operating system does the Great Firewall use?
A: The Great Firewall operates on the Linux operating system, though specific technical details about its implementation are not publicly available.

## Why It Matters
The Great Firewall represents one of the most extensive and sophisticated Internet censorship systems in the world, fundamentally shaping how hundreds of millions of people in China access and use the Internet. By controlling online content and access, it enables the Chinese government to maintain information control and social stability according to its policies. The system has influenced global discussions about Internet freedom, digital sovereignty, and the balance between security and open access to information. Its existence has prompted the development of circumvention technologies and sparked international debates about digital rights and government control of online spaces. The Great Firewall serves as a model for other countries considering similar Internet control measures, making it a significant case study in the ongoing global conversation about Internet governance.

## Notable For
- One of the first large-scale national Internet censorship systems implemented
- Operates continuously since 1996, making it one of the longest-running censorship systems
- Has extensive multilingual documentation across 40 Wikipedia languages
- Connected to regional implementations like Henan Firewall
- Featured in major technology publications and vocabularies

## Body
### Technical Implementation
The Great Firewall operates as a comprehensive network security system that combines firewall capabilities with intrusion detection features. It monitors both incoming and outgoing network traffic, applying predetermined security rules to filter content and control access. The system runs on Linux operating system infrastructure, though specific technical configurations remain proprietary.

### Geographic Scope
The system is implemented nationwide across the People's Republic of China, with regional variations like the Henan Firewall serving as localized implementations. This creates a layered approach to Internet control, with both national and regional components working together.

### Documentation and Resources
The Great Firewall has extensive documentation across multiple platforms:
- 40 Wikipedia sitelinks in various languages including English, Chinese, Arabic, and others
- Dedicated Commons category for related media files
- Quora topic page for public discussions
- Reference in The Next Web's technology vocabulary

### Classification and Recognition
The system is classified as:
- A firewall (network security system)
- An intrusion detection system
- Part of Internet censorship in China
- A subject of human rights discussions through WikiProject Human rights

### Cultural Impact
The Great Firewall has become a significant cultural and political symbol, referenced in technology discussions worldwide and serving as a model for other nations considering Internet control measures. Its implementation has influenced global debates about digital rights, government control of information, and the future of Internet governance.

## References

1. [Source](https://thenextweb.com/vocabulary/great-firewall-of-china/)