Graphical tools for firewall configuration
Conclusions
The firewall GUIs discussed here are all suitable for securing IT infrastructures. However, the individual tools focus on different user groups and scenarios: Gufw is somewhat out of the ordinary, because it primarily targets desktop systems. PeerGuardian is not a classic firewall interface but is limited to working with blocklists. The software does not let you implement complex rule constructs, but it is useful as a firewall extension.
Fwbuilder, firewalld, and Shorewall primarily target server systems and therefore have far more features. Fwbuilder is also suitable for use in heterogeneous environments with various server operating systems and even with some manufacturers' appliances. The software can compile appropriate configuration files depending on a firewall's syntax. On the other hand, Shorewall can be configured with Webmin and thus managed from remote computers.
Thus, you are spoiled for choice (for an overview of features, see Table 1). In the end, your choice depends on your distribution and network security requirements.
Table 1
An Overview of Firewall GUIs
Feature | firewalld | fwbuilder | Gufw | Shorewall |
---|---|---|---|---|
Requirements |
Netfilter |
Netfilter and iptables |
Netfilter and iptables |
Netfilter and iptables |
Cross-Platform |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
Remote Host |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
IPv4/IPv6 |
Yes/Yes |
Yes/Yes |
Yes/Yes |
Yes/Yes |
Zone Model |
Yes |
No |
Yes (profile) |
Yes |
Chain and Control Model |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Dynamic |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Application Integration |
No |
No |
Yes |
Limited |
Logging |
Limited |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Wizard |
No |
Yes |
Limited |
No |
Primary Application |
Server |
Server, desktop, cluster, appliance |
Desktop |
Server, desktop, appliance |
Infos
- Netfilter: http://www.netfilter.org
- Nftables: https://netfilter.org/projects/nftables/
- Iptables: https://netfilter.org/projects/iptables/
- firewalld: http://www.firewalld.org
- fwbuilder: http://www.fwbuilder.org
- Gufw: http://gufw.org
- Shorewall: http://shorewall.org
- PeerGuardian: https://sf.net/projects/peerguardian/
- PeerGuardian blocklists: https://www.iblocklist.com/lists
- FireStarter: https://sf.net/projects/firestarter/
- Turtle Firewall: http://turtlefirewall.sourceforge.net
- FireFlier: http://fireflier.sf.net
- Vuurmuur: https://www.vuurmuur.org/trac/
- IPFire: http://www.ipfire.org
- Untangle NG Firewall: https://www.untangle.com/untangle-ng-firewall/
- Alpine Linux: https://alpinelinux.org
- BSD PF: http://www.openbsd.org/faq/pf/
- Quick Start Guide: http://www.fwbuilder.org/4.0/quick_start_guide.shtml
- UFW: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UncomplicatedFirewall
- Webmin: http://www.webmin.com
- drakfirewall: https://doc.mageia.org/mcc/5/en/content/drakfirewall.html
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.