Top 10 most practical open source firewalls in Linux

Today, open-source firewalls are widely used. This article will cover ten most practical open-source firewalls suitable for enterprises. 1. IptablesIptables/Netfilter is the most popular firewall-based command line. It is the first line of defense for Linux server security. Many system administrators use it to fine-tune servers. The function is to filter packets in the network stack in the kernel. The features include: list the content of the packet filtering rule set; fast execution because it only checks the packet header; the administrator can, as needed, in the data packet filtering rule set

Today, open-source firewalls are widely used. This article will cover ten most practical open-source firewalls suitable for enterprises.

1. Iptables

Iptables/Netfilter is the most popular firewall-based command line. It is the first line of defense for Linux server security. Many system administrators use it to fine-tune servers. The function is to filter packets in the network stack in the kernel. The features include: list the content of the packet filtering rule set; fast execution because it only checks the packet header; the administrator can, as needed, adds, modifies, and deletes rules in the Data Packet Filtering Rule Set. Supports file backup and recovery.

2. IPCop Firewall

The IPCop design interface is user-friendly and easy to manage. It is very useful for small businesses and local PCs. The administrator can configure an old PC as a secure VPN to provide a secure Internet access environment. The Fire Protection Wall also retains common information to provide better Web browsing experience for its users. The color-coded Web interface allows administrators to monitor CPU, memory, disk, and network throughput performance in multiple languages, it provides very secure and easy-to-implement upgrades and additional patches.

3. Shorewall

Shorewall is built on the built-in Netfilter in the Linux kernel and supports IPv6. Its features include: using Netfilter's connection tracking tool to filter status packets, supporting a variety of routers, firewalls and Gateway applications, centralized firewall management, and GUI with Webmin control panel, multi-ISP support, support for camouflage and port forwarding, and support for VPN.

4. UFW? Uncomplicated Firewall

UFW is the default firewall of the Ubuntu server version. Its basic design is to reduce the complexity of iptables firewall and increase user friendliness. Ubuntu and Debian users can also use the graphic user interface of UFW firewall. The UFW firewall supports IPV6, extended logs, status monitoring, and scaling frameworks. It can be integrated with applications and add, clear, and modify firewall rules as needed.

5. Vuurmuur

Vuurmuur is another powerful Linux Firewall Manager that can build and manage iptables rules for servers or networks. At the same time, Vuurmuur is easy to manage and can be used without the knowledge of iptables. Its features include IPV6, communication shaping, advanced monitoring features, real-time monitoring connection and bandwidth usage, easy configuration through NAT, and anti-fraud features.

6. pfSense

PfSense is another open-source and reliable firewall for FreeBSD servers. It is built on the concept of State packet filtering and has many features that are only available on high commercial firewalls. It has the following features: easy to configure and upgrade through the Web interface, can be deployed as a peripheral firewall, DHCP and DNS server, can be deployed as a wireless access point and VPN terminal, the communication is organized to obtain real-time server information and load balancing between inbound and outbound servers in a timely manner.

7. IPFire

IPFire is an open-source firewall suitable for small businesses and home offices. It is highly modular and flexible. The IPFire community also focuses on security and uses IPFire as a State packet inspection firewall. Its features include: it can be deployed as a firewall, proxy server or VPN gateway, content filtering, built-in intrusion detection system, support wiki, forums, and other virtual machine management programs that support virtualized environments such as KVM, VmWare, and Xen.

8. SmoothWall and SmoothWall Express

SmoothWall is also an open-source firewall, which has a WEB interface that is easy to configure called WAM (Web Access Manager. The freely released SmoothWall version is called SmoothWall Express. Its features include: support for LAN, DMZ, wireless network, real-time content filtering, HTTPS filtering, support for proxy servers, and management of statistics on communications between each IP address, each interface, and access, the backup and recovery functions are also available.

9. Endian

The Endian is another firewall based on the concept of status packet detection. The administrator can deploy it as a router, proxy server, and gateway VPN. It is developed by the IPCop firewall and has the following features: two-way firewall, Snort intrusion prevention, Web server security, IPSec-supported VPN, and real-time network communication logs can be ensured through HTTP and FTP Proxy servers, anti-virus and URL blacklists.

10. ConfigServer Security Firewall

This is a cross-platform multi-purpose firewall and also based on the concept of status packet detection. It supports almost all virtualization environments, such as Virtuozzo, OpenVZ, Vmware, XEN, KVM, and Virtualbox. The daemon can check logon failures of sensitive servers. For example, it can check failures of ssh, SMTP, Exim, Imap, Pure & ProFTP, vsftpd, Subosin, and mod_security; it can configure an email warning to indicate whether an exception has occurred or detect any type of intrusion on the server; it can be easily integrated with popular web host Control Panel (cPanel, DirectAdmin, Webmin); users who use resources excessively and suspicious processes are warned by email; Advanced Intrusion Detection System; use Syn Flood and death ping to protect linux servers and check vulnerability exploitation.