14 DAY TRIAL // Untangle Next Generation (NG) Firewall is a Linux-based network gateway with pluggable modules for network applications like spam blocking, web filtering, anti-virus, anti-spyware, intrusion prevention, and firewall. Its developers have just announced that a new version has been released, packing lots new features and updated packages.
Users might know this distribution by its old name, which was the Untangle gateway. The name changed a while ago into Untangle Next Generation (NG) Firewall, but the system has remained true to its roots. It's now based on Debian "Wheezy" and it's using the 3.2.0 branch of the kernel.
It's been a while since we had a major update for this distribution, but this latest one is actually quite consistent and much bigger than anyone would have expected. If you are an Untangle user, this is the perfect time to upgrade.
Untangle Next Generation (NG) Firewall 11 is more than just a new Debian base and a new kernel
"Untangle, Inc., a network software and appliance company, today launched version 11 of its Next Generation Firewall software, featuring industry-leading protection with its refreshed Virus Blocker and Spam Blocker applications. Untangle makes an integrated suite of security software and appliances with enterprise-grade capabilities and consumer-oriented simplicity."
"With this release, Untangle NG Firewall offers improved performance via technology transfer from Untangle's IC Control product. Combined with a new kernel, NG Firewall also brings enhancements to both HTTPS processing and Captive Portal from the IC Control product," reads the announcement.
The developers have explained that users will now have access to event logs for search queries on Google, Bing, Yahoo, and Ask, new Application Control signatures, a fresh Virus Blocker that is now based on a new commercial technology, a much better Spam Blocker, and an improved Web Filter.
Also, the AD login monitor now comes with a new installer, L2TP has support for RADIUS, WANs, and the DNS can now be configured manually. Other changes include new Application Control signatures, SNMP v3 is now supported, the Local Directory can now be imported/exported, event logs and reports now correctly show in server timezone, and many more.
Check the official announcement for a complete list of changes and improvements. You can download Untangle Gateway Platform 11 right now from Softpedia. Keep in mind that if you already have the system installed and you upgrade, you will have to restart in order to finish the process. Also, this is not a Live CD, so if you want to test it, installation is required.