- Hardware Definition
- Hardware And Software Firewall Comparison System
- Hardware And Software Definition
- Hardware And Software Firewall Comparison Software
- Hardware Vs Software Firewall Comparison
Most of the computer users are familiar with the term Firewall. Firewalls are Hardware devices or Software programs that monitor incoming and outgoing connections analyzing the packet data for malicious behavior. Like the definition says, there are both Software and Hardware Firewalls. In this modern age, we are literally at war with hackers and malware and virus developers, all the time and data security has become the number one concern. To protect our computers, we use security software like AntiVirus and Firewalls – and as we just mentioned, there are two kinds of firewalls – Hardware firewalls and Software firewalls.
Firewall appliances. In general, a computer appliance is a computing device with a specific function and limited configuration ability, and a software appliance is a set of computer programs that might be combined with just enough operating system (JeOS) for it to run optimally on industry standard computer hardware or in a virtual machine.
Hardware firewall vs. Software firewall
In this article, we’ll talk about the difference between Software Firewall & Hardware Firewall.
Hardware Firewall
Hardware Firewalls are mostly seen in broadband modems, and is the first line of defense, using Packet Filtering. Before an Internet packet reaches your PC, the Hardware Firewall will monitor the packets and check where it comes from. It also checks if the IP address or header can be trusted. After these checks, the packet then reaches your PC. It blocks any links that contain malicious behavior based on the current Firewall setup in the device. A Hardware Firewall usually does not need a lot of configuration. Most of the rules are built-in and predefined and based on these inbuilt rules; the Packet Filtering is done.
Today’s technology has improved so much that it not just the traditional Packet Filtering which is carried out. The Hardware Firewall has built-in IPS / IPDS (Intrusion Prevention Systems), that earlier used to be a separate device. But now these are included, offering us greater protection.
When an IPDS detects a malicious activity, it sends and signal and reset the connection and blocks the IP address. It uses signature-based, statistical anomaly-based, and stateful protocol analysis. You can read more about this here. But the main drawback I find is that it allows all the outgoing packets, i.e., if by chance, a malware got into your system and started transmitting data, it would be allowed unless the user became aware of it, and decided to stop it. But in most cases, this does not happen.
Hardware Firewall is typically good for small or medium business owners, with 5 or more PC or a co-operate environment. The main reason is that it then becomes cost-effective because if you’re to purchase Internet Security/Firewall software licenses for 10 to 50 copies, and that too on an annual subscription basis, it will cost a lot of money and deployment could also be an issue. The users will have better control over the environment. If the user is not tech savvy and if they choose to inadvertently allow a connection that has Malware behavior, it could ruin the entire network and put the company at risk with data security. A hardware firewall could thus be very useful in such cases.
There are always few things you have to consider before buying a Hardware-based firewall. The number of users in your network, the number of VPN users in your network, because under-estimating the number could exhaust the performance of your device and affect the performance of the Internet connection as well. Also, make sure you have enough license for VPN client connection, and it has SSL, PPTP, etc. connection support too. Even if you have to pay a subscription, go for it – because a subscription means that you get the latest definitions.
Manufacturers are now including Gateway Antivirus, Malware scanners, and Content Filters, so you’ll get maximum protection with them. For example, CISCO Hardware includes “Cisco ProtectLink Security Solutions” on selected devices. It addresses a specific security threat, and as part of an overall security, approach provides layers of protection against different threats.
There are a lot of companies you can choose from like CISCO, SonicWall, Netgear, ProSafe, D-Link, etc. Make sure you either have a certified network professional with you while setting up or a good tech support because trust me you’ll need them when you configure the system.
Software Firewall
Now that we know how Hardware Firewalls work, I’ll talk a bit Software Firewalls. To be honest, Software Firewalls do not need a whole lot of explanation because most of us are aware of it and are already using it. Like I said in the Hardware Firewall section if the user is not tech savvy and if they choose to allow a connection that has Malware behavior, it could ruin the entire network and put the company in risk with data security. That’s where software firewall comes into the picture, as here can we block both incoming and outgoing connections and setup trusted rules so these accidents can be avoided. Firewall vendors constantly research in this matter and see out updates as and when required, so the chances of your computer getting compromised are slim.
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It’s a confusing job to pick a complete Internet Security solution that is just right for you. When you search in forums, you can see a flaming debate, where each member is defending their favorite ones. You’ll be lost in these debates ending up more confused than when you started. The rule is to set your priorities straight. Create a list of things you want. For example, do you want a free Firewall solution or paid one? What features you need in your Firewall, What additional features are required, like say Antispam, Web Protection, Malware scanner, Antivirus, etc. Do you want to go in for an Internet Security Suite? Once you decide, then compare the features. I for one use Windows Firewall. The the only drawback I find it has is that, by default, it allows all the outgoing connection. So I used an additional application called Windows Firewall Control – which we can set up to block all the outgoing connection and also the setup rules for the ones we want, with a simple click. They have both a free version and professional paid version, but the free version is more than enough. Windows Firewall Control and Windows Firewall Notifier are other two freeware you could check out.
Like Marcus J. Ranum said, “Computer security is nothing but attention to detail and good design”. Hope this will help you decide which one you want.
Sophos XG Firewall Home Edition is a hardware-type firewall software you might want to take a look at.
Tomorrow we will list some good freeware third-party firewall software for Windows, so stay tuned! But while on this topic, we’d love to hear of any hardware firewalls you’d like to recommend.
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The following is a comparison of notable firewalls, starting from simple home firewalls up to the most sophisticated Enterprise-level firewalls.
Firewall software[edit]
Some firewall solutions are provided as software solutions that run on general purpose operating systems. The following table lists different firewall software that can be installed / configured in different general purpose operating systems.
Firewall | License | Cost and usage limits | OS |
---|---|---|---|
Avast Internet Security | Proprietary | Paid | Microsoft Windows |
Comodo Internet Security | Proprietary | Free | Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista x32/x64, XP x32 |
Intego VirusBarrier | Proprietary | Paid | Mac OS X10.5 or later; on an Xserve |
Kaspersky Internet Security | Proprietary | Paid / 30 day trial | Windows unknown versions x32/x64 |
Lavasoft Personal Firewall | Proprietary | Paid | Windows unknown versions x32/x64 |
Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway | Proprietary | Discontinued | Windows unknown versions x64 |
NetLimiter | Proprietary | Paid | Windows 10, 8, 7 x64 |
Norton 360 | Proprietary | Paid | Windows unknown versions x32/x64 |
Online Armor Personal Firewall | Proprietary | Discontinued | Windows unknown versions x32/x64 |
Outpost Firewall Pro | Proprietary | Discontinued | Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP x32/x64 |
PC Tools Firewall Plus | Proprietary | Discontinued | Windows unknown versions x32/x64 |
Sygate Personal Firewall | Proprietary | Discontinued | Windows unknown versions x32 |
Windows Firewall | Proprietary | Included with Windows XP SP2 and later | Windows versions x32/x64 |
ZoneAlarm | Proprietary | Free / Paid | Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista x32/x64, XP x32 |
Netfilter/iptables | GPL | Free | Linux kernel module |
nftables | GPL | Free | Linux kernel (>=3.13) module |
Shorewall | GPL | Free | Linux-based appliance |
PeerBlock | GPL | Free | Windows 8/8.1, 7, Vista x32/x64 |
NPF | BSD | Free | NetBSD kernel module |
PF | BSD | Free | *BSD kernel module |
ipfirewall | BSD | Free | *BSD package |
IPFilter | GPLv2 | Free | Package for multiple UNIX-like operating systems |
Firewall appliances[edit]
In general, a computer appliance is a computing device with a specific function and limited configuration ability, and a software appliance is a set of computer programs that might be combined with just enough operating system (JeOS) for it to run optimally on industry standard computer hardware or in a virtual machine.
A firewall appliance is a combination of a firewall software and an operating system that is purposely built to run a firewall system on a dedicated hardware or virtual machine.[1][2][3] These include:
- embedded firewalls: very limited-capability programs running on a low-power CPU system,
- software-based firewall appliances: a system that can be run in independent hardware or in a virtualised environment as a virtual appliance
- hardware-based firewall appliances: a firewall appliance that runs on a hardware specifically built to install as a network device, providing enough network interfaces and CPU to serve a wide range of purposes. From protecting a small network (a few network ports and few megabits per second throughput) to protecting an enterprise-level network (tens of network ports and gigabits per second throughput).
The following table lists different firewall appliances.
Firewall | License | Cost | OS |
---|---|---|---|
Clavister | Proprietary | Included on all Clavister NGFWs | Proprietary operating system cOS Core |
Check Point | Proprietary | Included on Check Point security gateways | Proprietary operating system Check Point IPSO and Gaia (Linux-based) |
FortiGate | Proprietary | Included on all Fortigate devices | Proprietary, FortiOS, Based on the Linux kernel Why Download Monopoly using YepDownload? Monopoly Simple & Fast Download! Works with All Windows (64/32 bit) versions! Monopoly Latest Version! Fully compatible with Windows 10; Disclaimer Monopoly is a product developed by TikGames, LLC and GameHouse, I. This site is not directly affiliated with TikGames, LLC and GameHouse, I. Jul 02, 2015 Monopoly Free Download PC Game Cracked in Direct Link and Torrent. Monopoly Own it all in the classic property trading game! Monopoly classic free download - Monopoly, Monopoly, Monopoly for Palm OS, and many more programs. Play FREE online games! Welcome to Pogo.com, a great place to play free online games, including puzzle games, word games, card games, and board games. Unlike other free online games sites, we offer a variety of classic Hasbro board games like RISK, Yahtzee, and Monopoly. We also have popular games like Chess, and Bejeweled. Make friends. Sep 27, 2018 Monopoly Classic For Mac – Free Download: Windows 7/8/10 and Mac OSX capacity. Andy OS works with any work area program and synchronizes everything else specifically to the open programming application. Full Android User Interface. Download monopoly classic free. |
Palo Alto Networks | Proprietary | Included on Palo Alto Networks firewalls | Proprietary operating system PANOS |
Sophos | Proprietary | Included on Sophos UTM | Linux-based appliance |
Cisco ASA Firepower | Proprietary | Included on all CISCO ASA devices | Proprietary operating system |
Cisco PIX | Proprietary | Included on all CISCO PIX devices | Proprietary operating system |
Juniper SSG | Proprietary | Included on Netscreen security gateways | Proprietary operating system ScreenOS |
Juniper SRX | Proprietary | Included on SRX security gateways | Proprietary operating system Junos |
Sonicwall | Proprietary | Included on Dell appliance | Proprietary operating system SonicOS Based on the Linux kernel |
Barracuda Firewall | Proprietary | Included Firewall Next Generation appliance | Windows-based appliance embedded firewall distribution |
Cyberoam | Proprietary | Included Firewall Sophos appliance | Windows-based appliance embedded firewall distribution |
D-Link | Proprietary | Included Firewall DFL | Windows-based appliance embedded firewall distribution |
Endian Firewall | Proprietary | Free / Paid | Linux-based appliance |
Forcepoint NGFW | Proprietary | Included on all Forcepoint NGFW devices | Proprietary operating system |
OPNsense | Simplified BSD / FreeBSD License | Free / Paid | FreeBSD-based appliance firewall distribution |
pfSense | ESF/Apache 2.0 | Free / Paid | FreeBSD-based appliance firewall distribution |
Untangle | GPL | Free / Paid | Linux-based appliance firewall distribution |
Zeroshell | GPL | Free / Paid | Linux/NanoBSD-based appliance firewall distribution |
SmoothWall | GPL | Free / Paid | Linux-based appliance embedded firewall distribution [4] |
IPFire | GPL | Free (Donations welcomed) | Linux-based appliance embedded firewall distribution |
WatchGuard | Proprietary | Included on all Firebox devices | Proprietary, Fireware OS, Based on the Linux kernel |
WinGate | Proprietary | Free / Paid | Windows-based appliance embedded firewall distribution |
Firewall rule-set Appliance-UTM filtering features comparison[edit]
Can Target: | Changing default policy to accept/reject (by issuing a single rule) | IP destination address(es) | IP source address(es) | TCP/UDP destination port(s) | TCP/UDP source port(s) | Ethernet MAC destination address | Ethernet MAC source address | Inbound firewall (ingress) | Outbound firewall (egress) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trend Micro Internet Security | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Untangle | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Vyatta | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Windows XP Firewall | No | No | Yes | Partial[a] | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Windows Vista Firewall | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Windows 7 / Windows 2008 R2 Firewall | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
WinGate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
Zeroshell | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Zorp | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
pfSense | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
IPFire | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Hardware Definition
- Notes
- ^can target only single destination TCP/UDP port per rule, not port ranges.
Firewall rule-set advanced features comparison[edit]
Can: | work at OSI Layer 4 (stateful firewall) | work at OSI Layer 7 (application inspection) | Change TTL? (Transparent to traceroute) | Configure REJECT-with answer | DMZ (de-militarized zone) - allows for single/several hosts not to be firewalled. | Filter according to time of day | Redirect TCP/UDP ports (port forwarding) | Redirect IP addresses (forwarding) | Filter according to User Authorization | Traffic rate-limit / QoS | Tarpit | Log |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sidewinder | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Untangle | Yes | Yes (Some modules) | No | No | Yes | Yes (With Policy manager) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
WinGate | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Zeroshell | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
pfSense | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
IPFire | Yes | Yes | ? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? | Yes | No | Yes |
Features: | Configuration: GUI, text or both modes? | Remote Access: Web (HTTP), Telnet, SSH, RDP, Serial COM RS232, .. | Change rules without requiring restart? | Ability to centrally manage all firewalls together |
---|---|---|---|---|
Untangle | both | SSH (Not enabled by default), Web GUI, | Yes | Yes |
WinGate | GUI | Proprietary user interface | Yes | N/A |
ClearOS | both | RS232, SSH, WebConfig, | Yes | Yes with ClearDNS |
Zeroshell | GUI | SSH, Web (HTTPS), RS232 | Yes | No |
pfSense | both | SSH, Web (HTTP/HTTPS), RS232 | Yes | No |
IPFire | both | SSH, Web (HTTPS), RS232 | Yes | No |
Firewall's other features comparison[edit]
Features: | Modularity: supports third-party modules to extend functionality? | IPS : Intrusion prevention system | Open-Source License? | supports IPv6? | Class: Home / Professional | Operating Systems on which it runs? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Untangle | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Both | Linux (built on Debian) |
Vyatta | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Professional | Vyatta OS (built on Debian) |
WinGate | Yes[a] | ? | No | No | Professional | Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 2008. 32bit and 64bit. |
pfSense | Yes | Yes, with Snort and Suricata (modules) | Yes | Yes | Both | FreeBSD/NanoBSD-based appliance |
IPFire | Yes | Yes, with Snort and Guardian | Yes | Yes (manual setup needed) | Both | Linux (based on Linux From Scratch) |
- Notes
- ^WinGate 6.x supports 3rd party modules for data scanning only (e.g. antivirus and content filtering).
Non-Firewall extra features comparison[edit]
Those features are not strictly firewall features, but are sometimes bundled with firewall software, or exist on the platform.
NOTE: Features are marked 'yes' even if implemented as a separate module that comes with the platform on which firewall sits.
IDS: real-time firewall that logs/sniffs/blocks suspicious connections that are not part of rule-set.
VPN (Virtual Private Network) Types are: PPTP, L2TP, MPLS, IPsec, SSL/SSH.
Profile selection: The user can switch between sets of firewall settings, e.g. for use at work, at home, and on public connections.
Hardware And Software Firewall Comparison System
Can: | NAT44 (static, dynamic w/o ports, PAT) | NAT64, NPTv6 | IDS (Intrusion Detection System) | VPN (Virtual Private Network) | AV (Anti-Virus) | Sniffer | Profile selection |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Untangle | Yes | ? | Yes | Yes (IPsec and OpenVPN) | Yes (clamav, commtouch (optional)) | Yes (tcpdump) | ? |
Vyatta | Yes (three NAT types) | ? | Yes (integrated Snort) | Yes (IPsec and OpenVPN) | Yes (with clamav, Sophos Antivirus (optional)) | Yes (with wireshark or tcpdump) | ? |
WinGate | Yes | ? | Yes (with NetPatrol) | Yes (proprietary) | Yes (Kaspersky Labs) | Yes (filtered capturing to pcap format) | No |
pfSense | Yes | Yes (NPt) | Yes (with Snort) | Yes (OpenVPN, IPsec, L2TP, IKEv2, Tinc, PPTP) | Yes (with squid and clamav) | Yes (tcpdump) | No |
IPFire | Yes | ? | Yes (with Snort) | Yes (OpenVPN, IPsec, IKEv2) | Yes (with squid and clamav) | Yes (tcpdump) | No |
See also[edit]
Hardware And Software Definition
References[edit]
Hardware And Software Firewall Comparison Software
- ^Smith, Bob; Hardin, John A; Phillips, Graham; Pierce, Bill. Linux Appliance Design: A Hands-On Guide to Building Linux Appliances. No Starch Press. pp. xvii. ISBN1-59327-140-9. Retrieved 2008-05-06.
- ^SAN Data CenterArchived 2005-05-02 at the Wayback Machine- Network World
- ^Routers- About.com
- ^'(Smoothwall is) a Free firewall that includes its own security-hardened GNU/Linux operating system', Smoothwall. Retrieved on 2 August 2016.
Hardware Vs Software Firewall Comparison
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