Firewall Usage Debate

Comments debate the sufficiency and use of firewalls (built-in OS ones like iptables/ufw or external like pfSense) for network security control, often arguing they already provide needed features instead of new OS capabilities.

📉 Falling 0.5x Security
5,064
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#9950
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
3
2008
20
2009
28
2010
66
2011
88
2012
60
2013
196
2014
154
2015
227
2016
342
2017
400
2018
266
2019
309
2020
408
2021
496
2022
485
2023
569
2024
455
2025
450
2026
42

Keywords

MAC TU SP1 SSH REJECT UI MACOS XP TinyWall GUI firewall firewalls rules default vista running accessed incoming block drop

Sample Comments

sgt Dec 7, 2021 View on HN

Seems like an edge case. 99% will be happy with the OS firewall.

edoceo Aug 11, 2018 View on HN

You can get better firewall control than just open/shut

Hikikomori Nov 29, 2022 View on HN

There are firewalls with those features.

stustustu Nov 24, 2020 View on HN

There is a firewall right? it is just off by default.

BitPirate Dec 26, 2024 View on HN

Your observation doesn't contradict the use of firewall rules to accomplish this.

dredmorbius Feb 10, 2021 View on HN

IP-based firewalling, if available, perhaps.

NeutronBoy Feb 24, 2015 View on HN

Are local firewalls not cool anymore or something?

globular-toast Nov 4, 2024 View on HN

Turns out you've been running without a firewall this whole time! Time to get a firewall. PfSense and Opnsense are good options.

justinclift Nov 15, 2020 View on HN

"use a firewall" -> "use an external firewall". :)

therealx Jul 30, 2019 View on HN

Sounds kinda like a firewall would server you better. Not that I don't think you should or shouldn't be able to have this feature.