Stateful firewalls, which support connection$-$based rules, offer key benefits by tracking active connections. For instance, when a user makes a web request, the firewall recognizes the corresponding server response as legitimate, simplifying rule management. They also enhance security by blocking unauthorized access attempts, as they can differentiate between new and established connections. Additionally, stateful firewalls optimize performance for time$-$sensitive traffic, like VoIP, by prioritizing legitimate sessions and reducing latency for a better user experience.