Graphical tools for firewall configuration

Firewalls under Linux are usually based on the kernel's netfilter system [1], which was introduced in 2001. Nftables [2] is about to replace this system, but until then, iptables [3] remains the configuration helper for the complicated netfilter system and is regarded as the default tool for Linux.

However, configuring iptables is not very intuitive. If you don't regularly use this process, you tend to forget quickly the necessary command-line parameters. Iptables does not make it easy for less experienced administrators to configure the firewall, so several distributions have their own tools. Because of this lack of intuitiveness, running the packet filter at the command line can quickly cause damage by user error.

For this reason, many firewalls now have graphical user interfaces (GUIs), which makes this somewhat cumbersome task easier. In this article, I review four such GUIs: firewalld [4], fwbuilder [5], Gufw [6], and Shorewall [7]. I also looked at the PeerGuardian [8] IP blocker, which is not a conventional firewall (see the "PeerGuardian" box). Not included in this review are configuration environments that are outdated (see the "Not in the Running" box).

[...]

Use Express-Checkout link below to read the full article (PDF).

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • Firewalls Intro

    Firewalls are becoming evermore sophisticated. Luckily, the tools for managing firewalls are becoming simpler and more accessible for ordinary users

  • Firewalld and OpenSnitch

    For maximum security, you'd better watch traffic in both directions. This hands-on workshop takes you through the steps of setting up firewalls for outgoing as well as incoming traffic.

  • Shorewall

    When users think about their workstations at home, they often forget about security. But danger is out there,waiting to pounce on the unsuspecting. Shorewall helps everyday Linux users keep the intruders away.

  • Persistent iptables

    The Linux iptables packet filter lacks an easy way to load rules automatically after restarting a system, but you can automate this process several ways.

  • KTools: KMyFirewall

    Linux has a fantastic selection of firewalls for securing stand-alone computers or whole networks. Although you can use IPTables to set up a firewall, the configuration is often the most difficult step. KMyFirewall offers a powerful, user-friendly, GUI-based approach.

comments powered by Disqus
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.

Learn More

News