Untangle

Untangle NG Firewall Review

Untangle NG Firewall presents itself as a comprehensive and user-friendly solution for network security, particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses and distributed environments. Its core strength lies in its modular architecture, which allows administrators to deploy a suite of security applications tailored to their specific needs. This is a significant advantage over traditional monolithic security appliances, as it avoids unnecessary complexity and licensing costs associated with unused features.

The installation process is relatively straightforward, and the initial configuration wizard helps in getting the basic network setup up and running quickly. Once installed, the web-based management interface is logically organized and generally intuitive. Navigating between different security modules, such as the Firewall, VPN, Web Filter, and Virus Blocker, is smooth. The dashboard provides a useful overview of network activity, traffic, and security events, offering a quick glance at the network's health.

Key Modules and Performance

The Firewall module is robust and provides the granular control expected from a modern firewall. Rule creation is flexible, allowing for policies based on various criteria including source/destination IP, ports, protocols, and even users or groups when integrated with Active Directory. Performance is generally good under typical loads, although performance will naturally scale with the underlying hardware.

The VPN capabilities, including support for OpenVPN and IPsec, are essential for remote access and connecting disparate locations. Configuration is well-documented and integration with clients is straightforward. For organizations relying on secure remote work or inter-office connectivity, this is a critical and well-implemented feature.

Untangle's threat prevention suite, encompassing Virus Blocker, Spyware Blocker, and Malware Blocker, provides a multi-layered defense against malicious software. The integration of multiple scanning engines enhances the likelihood of detecting various threats. The Web Filter is another powerful tool, offering granular control over internet access based on predefined categories and custom rules. This is invaluable for enforcing acceptable use policies and preventing access to undesirable or potentially harmful websites. The ability to create different policies for different user groups or time periods adds to its flexibility.

Application Control is a standout feature for understanding and managing network bandwidth. Identifying which applications are consuming the most bandwidth allows administrators to prioritize critical applications or limit recreational ones, improving overall network performance. The reporting engine tied to this module provides detailed insights into application usage patterns.

The reporting and logging capabilities across all modules are comprehensive. Administrators can generate detailed reports on network traffic, security events, blocked content, and application usage. This data is crucial for identifying trends, troubleshooting issues, and demonstrating compliance. The ability to export reports and configure email alerts further enhances administrative oversight.

Ease of Use and Management

While the interface is generally user-friendly, the sheer number of options and configurations available within each module can be intimidating for administrators new to network security appliances. However, Untangle provides extensive documentation and a supportive community forum, which can help in navigating the complexities. The ability to create custom profiles and policies for different groups streamlines management in larger environments.

Overall Impression

Untangle NG Firewall is a strong contender in the unified threat management space. Its modular design, comprehensive feature set, and user-friendly interface make it a compelling option for organizations seeking a flexible and effective network security solution. The ongoing development and regular updates from Untangle ensure that the platform stays current with evolving threat landscapes. While the cost of the full suite of applications can add up, the ability to choose only necessary modules offers cost control. For businesses needing a centralized platform to manage firewalling, VPN, threat prevention, and content filtering, Untangle is certainly worth serious consideration.