Your home network can be secured without having to be a security professional. It doesn't matter who you are or what you are; your data can get compromised by others on the internet. A typical user finds it hard to secure a home network. Every single one of us uses a strong password and enables two-factor authentication, yet most of us have trouble setting up and maintaining a firewall. As a result, you can find dozens of small network appliances that can serve your needs. Using Firewalla Gold, you can try to make your network more secure.
An array of network and internet threats are protected by Firewalla, a device that plugs into your router. Firewalls detect and block external access to devices such as kids' watches, smart speakers, or baby monitors. As new devices connect to the network, a local network monitoring service can spot them, disable them as needed, and warn you if your network is using an Internet connection.
With customized parental controls, as well as forced safe browsing, your kids' environment is protected from ad-blocking. Ads are handled automatically, and your kids' behavior monitoring alerts you if anything appears wrong with a particular app or device.
While Firewalla has so much power, it is easy to use when it comes to basic usage. Several features on the platform are automatically ongoing, which can be managed in an easy-to-use manner with Android and iOS apps. There are four types of Firewalla available: Red ($109, Blue ($179), Blue+ ($199), and Gold ($418). The Firewalla Gold upgrade doubles the hardware power in most areas (including support for 1Gb internet), increases the number of simultaneous site-to-site VPN connections to ten, and includes a router and firewall with many features.
Two types of VPN servers are included in Firewalla, both of which are open-source projects, as well as a VPN client. With a standard VPN, you can securely access Internet connections at your home from anywhere in the world. You can use the client to send traffic to a commercial VPN. Firewalla Gold recommends an Apple TV, enabling you to bypass country-specific restrictions and ensure secure VPN connections between Firewalla, as well as many other features.
Pros
- A variety of management and security features are available
- In addition, a high-performing router is included
- Payment is one-time only, no subscription is required
- An engine based on highly configurable rules
Cons
- Significantly more expensive than Firewalla's starter products
- Some aspects can be complex
- Users may not always understand why a site is blocked
Setup
An assorted screw set and a wall mounting rack are included with the Firewalla Gold controller. The package consists of a small but solid box with a well-protected size, power supply, and cable. In order to use Firewalla outside the USA, please purchase an international power cord for $10 (UK, Europe, and Australia are supported). If you run into problems, there's a help@firewalla.com email address and a URL to the installation guide.
A user's first step in setting up Firewalla is to connect to its iOS and Android apps. In some ways, we think this is a good thing, far as the manual setup guide is concerned. Although it's quite detailed, there are some serious technical terms a few times, making it intimidating for beginners. Fortunately, there is a simpler interface with the app. Upon asking for the email addresses as part of its registration process, as well as explaining a few basics, the Firewalla Gold program offered to play along with it.
It is recommended that the device be set up in Router mode by Firewalla. The Firewalla takes over as the main router for your network if you connect it to an existing ISP modem or router. You should be able to use it on any device.
Firewalla can also be added to your existing network using the Simple/DHCP mode. The Firewalla uses ARP spoofing to redirect most device traffic to its processor by connecting to a free port on your existing router. Firewalla's security tools can monitor and protect all your devices even though it's not your main router. While Firewalla's 'Simple' mode is supposedly simple, it can be a little tricky, not least since ARP trickery does not work with all routers. You can find out what options are compatible with your kit by checking the Network Compatibility page on the website.
It's easy to set up the app after choosing your preferred mode. As soon as we powered up the router, scanned a QR code, and picked an operating mode, we were prompted to select the mode to pair up with the device. The Firewalla app automatically set everything up once we chose Router Mode and connected the Firewalla to our router. Waiting was all we could do, and three minutes later, the solution was ready.
Besides a four-port internal Ethernet switch, the Firewalla Gold has a separate WAN port that can connect to the network or a broadband modem. The best spot to place this kind of device is between the modem and the main router or gateway of your network. Moreover, all routing functions can be performed by the Gold model.
Features that go beyond
The Firewalla ad blocker uses DNS to block advertisements. In terms of removing clutter, this tool does less than the top browser extensions, but we can expect that with a tool of this type, which does not include the ability to analyze page content. Also, it's fast, keeps all your devices protected, and you can continue to use your existing ad blocker.
With Open Ports, you can identify any devices with exposed ports from the outside, allowing you to spot potential vulnerabilities.
With a New Device Quarantine option in Firewalla Gold, your new devices are automatically placed under quarantine upon joining, preventing them from logging onto the internet or accessing other network devices within the network. If the device you recognize is quarantined, the app raises the alarm and allows you to release it. The new arrival will remain quarantined when you're unaware or don't pay attention to the network at the moment. If you're certain it's a hacking attempt, you can also block it completely.
Conclusion
When it was mounted on a portion of my home network, Firewalla Gold performed as expected: The malware was blocked, the behavior was tracked, device discovery was made, a list of internet-sensitive ports was reported, a list of ads was blocked, and a full range of insights was available for my network's devices. Ad blocking lists should be assembled more transparently, instead of using OpenDNS indirectly, and should be licensed directly to integrate safe-site lists.
This firewall and router is a professionally configured hardware firewall, offering a long list of features to satisfy the most demanding and technical users. In that case, if you are content with just the basics of network monitoring, you can save money with Firewalla.
