A firewall is a security tool, either hardware or software, that monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic based on specific security rules. It plays a critical role in network security by blocking unauthorized access and protecting systems from cyber threats. Sophos Firewall is designed to be user-friendly, making it ideal for beginners. It offers an intuitive interface, simplified rule management, and built-in security features like intrusion prevention and traffic monitoring. These features ensure both usability and strong protection.

1. Logging In to Sophos Firewall

• Access the firewall’s web interface at its IP (e.g., https://192.168.90.254:4444) and log in with your admin credentials.

2. Overview of Zones

• Go to System > Network > Zones to view or customize zones (LAN, WAN, DMZ).
• Zones segment networks into logical groups like LAN, WAN, or DMZ. They help control traffic flow between these groups by applying specific security policies. This improves network management and enhances security.

3. Creating a Basic Firewall Rule

Creating a rule to allow LAN devices to access the internet via WAN.

• Go to Rules and Policies > Firewall Rules.
• Add a rule:
  • Source Zone: LAN
  • Destination Zone: WAN
  • Action: Allow
• Firewall rules control traffic flow by allowing or denying traffic based on IP addresses, ports, and protocols. They protect networks from unauthorized access, prevent cyber threats, and ensure only legitimate traffic reaches critical resources.

4. Enabling Web Filtering

• Blocking access to malicious or inappropriate websites.
  • Go to Web > Policies.
  • Create a policy blocking certain categories (e.g., Malware, Adult Content).
  • Apply the policy to the LAN-to-WAN rule.
• Web filtering plays a key role in preventing harmful browsing by blocking access to malicious, inappropriate, or unsafe websites. It protects users from malware, phishing attacks, and data breaches while ensuring compliance with organizational policies and enhancing productivity.

5. Monitoring Traffic

• Checking traffic logs to verify that rules and filters are working.
  • Navigate to Reports > Firewall or Web Activity.
• Monitoring allowed and blocked traffic can be done using firewall logs, traffic monitoring tools, or dashboards. These tools provide detailed insights into which connections are permitted or denied, helping identify potential threats, analyze patterns, and optimize security policies for better network visibility and control.

System Health Overview

• Navigate to the dashboard to review system health, active connections, and resource usage.
• Sophos Firewall enables proactive network management by providing advanced threat detection, real-time traffic monitoring, and automated responses to security events. It features tools like deep packet inspection, web filtering, and application control to ensure network performance, security, and compliance.

That’s it! Any further details will be posted in another article. Please let me know if you found this article helpful.