Definition:
This is called a Stateful Inspection for a firewall to check, alert or audit the status (state) of the TCP connection - SYN, SYN-ACK or FIN. In other words, this is what a firewall does, check for correct TCP Ports and IP Addresses and either permits or denies access. Also, technically often-called Port Level Security or Transport Layer Security takes place here. That is, control access by the Port Number such as deny access to Port 35 for email, Port 80 for HTTP (web surfing) Port 21 for File Transfer Protocol or access to any other function.