The firewall is one of the most useful security tools, as it is intended to determine what goes in and out of your local network over the Internet. The router, for example, gives us access to the Internet, which also acts as a main firewall, because all information we share is managed or So I suggest recycling an old computer or a computer that does not know how to use it and turning it into a dedicated firewall that uses Linux as the operating system.
For this purpose, specialized distributions are available for the sole purpose of creating a router or firewall as well as other security features.
So, in addition to the router we use to access the network, we will have a second barrier to configure, customize and ultimately control our LAN. Let us identify four Linux distributions to use as firewalls. It is free, does not require a very powerful computer and allows you to customize what comes and what comes out of our network fully.
IPFire
We started with one of the most popular Linux distributions, IPFire, which can be used as a firewall, a proxy server, and a VPN server.
With a 170 MB and 230 MB installation program depending on whether you choose CD or USB, IPFire has a documented wiki system to learn how to install firewall features and take advantage of all its features.
IPFire
We started with one of the most popular Linux distributions, IPFire, which can be used as a firewall, a proxy server, and a VPN server.
With a 170 MB and 230 MB installation program depending on whether you choose CD or USB, IPFire has a documented wiki system to learn how to install firewall features and take advantage of all its features.
This distribution as Linux, you can expand its functions by downloading new packages from the Internet. For example, you can add compatibility with ownCloud, Samba, NFS, CUPS, back up, create an IRC proxy, a mail server, or a server that is compatible with MySQL and PHP.
For the rest, its main function as a SPI or Stateful Packet Inspection is to analyze TCP and UDP connections in real time.
IPFire is managed mainly across the web, where it is possible to configure rules, limit ports, addresses or services, view real-time communications, filter content type, etc.
Alpine Linux
Small, simple, powerful, so this distribution is offered. Compatible with different architectures, such as Raspberry Pi (ARM), PPC x86 / x86-64. Also, the size is very small between 8 MB and 130 MB depending on your choice. It is available in several formats. As in the previous distribution, Alpine Linux is well documented to answer questions about installation and usage.
For the rest, its main function as a SPI or Stateful Packet Inspection is to analyze TCP and UDP connections in real time.
IPFire is managed mainly across the web, where it is possible to configure rules, limit ports, addresses or services, view real-time communications, filter content type, etc.
Alpine Linux
Small, simple, powerful, so this distribution is offered. Compatible with different architectures, such as Raspberry Pi (ARM), PPC x86 / x86-64. Also, the size is very small between 8 MB and 130 MB depending on your choice. It is available in several formats. As in the previous distribution, Alpine Linux is well documented to answer questions about installation and usage.
Among its many functions that allow the installation of mail server and web servers (Apache, Nginx) and we can also store our own page created using Drupal, WordPress or MediaWiki.
Zeroshell
With Zeroshell or Zeroshell Linux Router, this exciting distribution provides you with routers, firewalls, and management to keep you connected to the Internet and protect yourself from risk, and you can control it through its own Web interface.
Such as Alpine Linux, can be installed on an x86 or x86-64 computer or on ARM-based devices such as the famous Raspberry Pi.
Zeroshell
With Zeroshell or Zeroshell Linux Router, this exciting distribution provides you with routers, firewalls, and management to keep you connected to the Internet and protect yourself from risk, and you can control it through its own Web interface.
Such as Alpine Linux, can be installed on an x86 or x86-64 computer or on ARM-based devices such as the famous Raspberry Pi.
By using this distribution you will be able to fully see the traffic entering and leaving your network. You can also limit connections, filter content or close ports, and control IP or MAC addresses.
On the other hand, it is compatible with the VPN protocol and allows you to set up an NTP server. On the security level, in addition to the firewall functionality, it provides Kerberos 5 authentication, X.509 certificate and can act as an HTTP proxy.
ClearOS
Based on Red Hat, ClearOS is a distribution designed to manage small and medium networks in professional environments.
It is commendable that it contains a graphical installer and you can handle it with relative ease, and it is mainly a graphical interface that you can manage completely.
On the other hand, it is compatible with the VPN protocol and allows you to set up an NTP server. On the security level, in addition to the firewall functionality, it provides Kerberos 5 authentication, X.509 certificate and can act as an HTTP proxy.
ClearOS
Based on Red Hat, ClearOS is a distribution designed to manage small and medium networks in professional environments.
It is commendable that it contains a graphical installer and you can handle it with relative ease, and it is mainly a graphical interface that you can manage completely.
In addition, they are available in different versions, depending on the size of the network or if you want to use them for personal or professional use.
Among its many functions, ClearOS provides antivirus, anti-malware, content filtering, proxy, and so on. You can also block IP addresses, block words or topics, and even formats for specific files.
For the rest, it offers VPN support, Web proxy, email services management, printing and network file management (via CUPS and Samba), etc.
Among its many functions, ClearOS provides antivirus, anti-malware, content filtering, proxy, and so on. You can also block IP addresses, block words or topics, and even formats for specific files.
For the rest, it offers VPN support, Web proxy, email services management, printing and network file management (via CUPS and Samba), etc.
