Falcon Firewall Project

The Falcon project is a noteworthy contender in the world of open-source firewall projects. The primary aim of the project is to develop an independent firewall system that can provide advanced security features to its users. One of its most distinctive features is the Falcon application-level connection kit, which consists of several modules. These include Falcon's own proxies, such as the generic TCP-Proxy and application-specific proxies, Squid for web access and caching, BIND-8 for nameservice, qmail for mail communication, and OS hardening tools that are expected to be added later.

One of the most significant advantages of the Falcon project is its simplicity. In essence, Falcon can be divided into three main parts. First, self-written proxy applications with configuration and logging facilities-- all written in Perl-- form the backbone of Falcon. Second, third-party applications like BIND, Squid, and Qmail are used to provide additional functionality. Finally, the project offers tools and instructions for hardening the operating system on which Falcon is installed.

While Falcon offers several pre-built third-party proxies, users are also given the flexibility to replace them with self-written alternatives, thereby enabling them to customize the firewall system according to their preferences. In conclusion, the Falcon project is an excellent choice for users looking for advanced security and customizability in a firewall system.