Firewalla Review: Is This The Key to Protecting Your Digital Life?

With the rise in cyber threats and attacks, it has become essential for individuals and businesses alike to protect their digital lives. Firewalla, an innovative cybersecurity solution, aims to provide an effective defense against these threats. In this Firewalla review, we'll delve into what the company offers and whether it can be the key to safeguarding your online presence.

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About Firewalla

Firewalla is an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) that offers a modern mobile interface and a robust cloud infrastructure. The company was founded by a team of engineers who wanted to bring their expertise in securing large enterprises to consumers. Their mission is to make cybersecurity accessible to everyone, ensuring that it is simple, affordable, and powerful.

Firewalla gained its initial funding through Kickstarter in 2017, followed by additional support through Indiegogo in 2018 and 2019. Today, Firewalla is used by individuals and businesses in over 100 countries worldwide.

How Does Firewalla Work?

Firewalla works by connecting to your existing network and monitoring all network traffic. It operates at the packet level, meaning it can inspect individual data packets passing through your network to provide granular control and visibility. Here's a closer look at how Firewalla works:

• Visibility: Firewalla provides full visibility into your devices and networks. It can detect various activities, including video streaming, gaming, adult content, and malware. Additionally, it allows you to dive deep into IP addresses to identify any suspicious or unwanted connections.
• Control: With Firewalla, you have complete control over your network. It enables you to block specific web pages, restrict access to certain devices, and even block ads across your network. This level of control ensures that you are always in charge of what enters and exits your network.
• Protect: One of the key strengths of Firewalla is its proactive protection capabilities. It actively detects potential threats and automatically blocks them if necessary, preventing malicious actors from infiltrating your network. Furthermore, Firewalla includes a built-in VPN server, allowing you to encrypt your internet connection and protect your privacy when connected to public Wi-Fi networks or while traveling.

Firewalla Review

Firewalla’s Best-Selling Products

Firewalla offers several products, each catering to different needs and network requirements. Let's take a closer look at their 2 best-selling products and the features they provide.

• Firewalla Gold: Multi-Gigabit Cyber Security Firewall & Router:

The Firewalla Gold is a multi-gigabit cyber security firewall and router designed to protect your family and business. It offers a third "Router" mode in addition to the traditional Simple and DHCP modes, allowing for greater flexibility in network configuration. It supports VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) and boasts a slightly faster CPU compared to the original Firewalla Gold, making it a powerful choice for demanding networks.

One of the standout features of the Firewalla Gold is its Deep Insight capability, which allows you to see the network at up to 3+ Gigabits per second. This level of visibility enables you to monitor and analyze network traffic effectively. Additionally, the Firewalla Gold provides intrusion prevention (IPS) and network segmentation, allowing you to create virtual walls around your connected devices and enhance overall network security.

The Firewalla Gold also includes Active Protect Rules, which actively block malicious sites and mitigate hacking attempts, providing an extra layer of security for your network. Furthermore, it offers the ability to create secondary firewalls within your home network using "network segmentation," allowing you to define dynamic and static policies for different network regions.

• Firewalla Purple: Gigabit Cyber Security Firewall & Router:

The Firewalla Purple is designed as a gigabit cyber security firewall and router, protecting your family and business by providing a secure networking experience. Managed through the Firewalla app, this software-based router offers an array of features to enhance your network security.

It acts as a powerful firewall and intrusion detection system, safeguarding your data and ensuring the safety of your online activities. It boasts a remarkable 1 Gigabit deep packet inspection hardware, enabling thorough scrutiny of network traffic. Additionally, content and policy-based routing allow you to control internet usage and set specific rules for different devices on your network.

Another notable feature of the Firewalla Purple is its built-in VPN server and VPN client. This functionality ensures secure browsing and streaming by encrypting your data, protecting your online privacy. Furthermore, the Firewalla Purple offers router and transparent bridge modes, seamlessly integrating with your existing hardware setup.

With 16GB of onboard storage and a compact design measuring 9x6x3cm, the Firewalla Purple provides ample space for storing network data while remaining portable. Whether at home or on the go, this device offers reliable protection and insights into your network activity.

Features

Firewalla is a comprehensive network security solution that offers an extensive range of features to enhance and safeguard your network's security. Here are some key features that make Firewalla a valuable asset in bolstering network security:

• Visibility: Firewalla offers deep visibility into your network traffic, allowing you to monitor and analyze all inbound and outbound connections. This feature enables you to detect suspicious activities and potential threats in real-time.
• Control: With Firewalla, you have granular control over your network. You can block specific applications or websites, set up time limits for internet access, and even prioritize network traffic for certain devices or applications.
• Active Protect: Firewalla's Active Protect feature provides an additional layer of security by actively scanning your network for known threats and blocking them before they can cause harm. This proactive approach helps in safeguarding your devices and data.
• VPN: Firewalla allows you to set up a secure VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection, providing encrypted communication between your device and the internet. This feature is particularly useful when accessing public Wi-Fi networks or when you want to protect your online privacy.
• DNS over HTTPS: By encrypting DNS (Domain Name System) queries, Firewalla ensures that your browsing history remains private and secure. This feature prevents ISPs and other entities from monitoring or intercepting your internet traffic.
• Safe Search: Firewalla includes a Safe Search feature that helps in filtering out explicit content from search engine results. This feature is especially valuable for households with young children.
• Ad Block: Firewalla's built-in ad-blocking capability eliminates unwanted ads and pop-ups, providing a smoother and more streamlined browsing experience.
• Bandwidth Usage Management: With Firewalla, you can monitor and manage your network's bandwidth usage, ensuring a fair distribution of resources and preventing bandwidth-hogging applications from slowing down your internet connection.
• Geo-IP Filtering: Firewalla allows you to block traffic from specific countries or regions based on their IP addresses. This feature enhances your network's security by preventing access from known malicious sources.

Pros and Cons

Like any product, Firewalla has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a closer look:

• Pros:

1. Monitors all devices on your network: Firewalla gives you a comprehensive view of all devices connected to your network, allowing you to identify and manage potential threats effectively.
2. VPN client for some or all devices: With Firewalla, you can easily enable a VPN client on selected devices or all devices on your network, enhancing your online privacy and security.
3. Functions as VPN server for remote protection: The Firewalla Gold version acts as a VPN server, allowing you to establish a secure connection to your home network while you're away, adding an extra layer of protection.
4. No yearly fee: Unlike some firewall solutions that require a yearly subscription, Firewalla operates without any recurring costs, making it a cost-effective option in the long run.
5. Can block gaming, porn, and video: Firewalla provides the ability to block specific types of content, including gaming, adult content, and video streaming, allowing you to create a safer online environment for your family.
6. Simple parental control: Firewalla's parental control features allow you to set up filters and restrictions on your children's devices, ensuring they have a safe and age-appropriate online experience.

• Cons:

1. A few features require uncommon tech expertise: While Firewalla is designed to be user-friendly, some advanced features may require technical expertise to fully utilize and configure.
2. Parental and other filtering limited to domain level: The content filtering capabilities of Firewalla are limited to the domain level, which means that it may not be able to block specific content within a website or application.
3. Doesn't disclose AdBlock list or source: Firewalla's AdBlock functionality is effective at blocking ads, but it doesn't provide transparent information about the list of blocked ads or their sources.
4. Relies on free consumer service (OpenDNS) to handle adult content/violence filtering: Firewalla utilizes OpenDNS, a free consumer service, for handling adult content and violence filtering. While OpenDNS is generally reliable, it may not be as comprehensive or customizable as some dedicated solutions.

Pricing and Promotions

When considering network security solutions, pricing is often a significant factor. Firewalla adopts a one-time pricing model, which means you pay a single fee for the device without any recurring subscription charges. Let's take a closer look at the pricing options:

• Firewalla Gold: $485.00
• Firewalla Gold Plus: $589.00
• Firewalla Purple: $339.00
• Firewalla Purple SE: $229.00

It's worth noting that while the initial cost may seem higher compared to software-based security products, the one-time fee ensures that you won't incur additional expenses in the form of annual subscriptions.

Furthermore, Firewalla occasionally runs promotions and discounts. A valid Firewalla coupon code will surely benefit your purchase. 

Read more: Check out our money-saving guide at Firewalla for more helpful tips.

Reviews from Customers

To assess the effectiveness and user satisfaction of Firewalla, let's take a look at what customers have to say. Overall, Firewalla has received positive reviews for its ease of setup, intuitive app interface, and robust security features. Customers appreciate the level of control and visibility they gain over their networks, allowing them to protect their digital lives effectively.

In terms of performance, Firewalla has been praised for its ability to identify and block threats in real-time, providing users with peace of mind. Users also highlight the effectiveness of content filtering and parental control features in keeping their families safe online.

However, while Firewalla has received positive feedback from many users, it's worth noting that some customers have reported issues with the initial setup process or compatibility with specific network configurations. These negative reviews highlight the importance of thoroughly researching and considering individual network requirements before investing in Firewalla.

Firewalla Comparison

Firewalla vs pfSense

When comparing Firewalla vs pfSense, there is a huge difference in terms of user experience. pfSense is a business-grade firewall solution known for its robust feature set and high configurability. It offers advanced features that may not be necessary for home or small business use. While pfSense provides comprehensive customization options, it can be complex to implement and manage, requiring a certain level of technical expertise. The extensive documentation and supportive community can be valuable resources for users who choose pfSense.

On the other hand, Firewalla focuses on simplicity and ease of administration. Its mobile app-driven approach makes it more accessible to non-technical users. With Firewalla, tasks like scheduling and managing internet access for device groups can be easily accomplished with a few clicks. This user-friendly interface makes it an ideal choice for individuals who prioritize convenience and want a hassle-free experience.

Firewalla vs OPNsense

OPNsense is known for its versatility and ability to handle complex network setups. However, when it comes to user-friendliness and ease of use, between Firewalla vs OPNsense, Firewalla takes the lead.

The Firewalla app, accessible on your smartphone, provides a simplified and intuitive interface that allows you to conveniently monitor your network activity. This feature proves to be invaluable, especially for home networks, as it offers real-time visibility and control over your network.

With the Firewalla app, you can easily check up on your network, track network statistics, and manage access for different devices. The ability to grant or restrict access for your kids, for example, is made effortless through the app. In contrast, OPNsense often requires logging into its web interface, which may not provide the same level of convenience and constant monitoring that the Firewalla app offers.

Conclusion

Based on this Firewalla review, it's safe to say that the company presents itself as a valuable solution for safeguarding your digital life. With its intuitive app, comprehensive features, and robust protection, Firewalla has become a compelling choice for individuals and families concerned about cybersecurity. Whether you opt for the Gold or Purple version, Firewalla offers a robust defense against cyber threats and ensures that you have full control over your network and devices. So, protect your digital life today with Firewalla and enjoy peace of mind knowing that your network is protected by a powerful cybersecurity solution.