Item: Untangle NG Firewall
Rating: 10
Author: Bryce Holland

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

LCA uses Untangle as its primary router, firewall, and filter. It serves the entire organization. Since it is the primary edge security device, it solves the filtering and security issues that existed before its implementation, as well as improves the overall performance of the Internet connection. Untangle is the primary reason why LCA's Internet access is CIPA compliant for the students.

Pros and Cons

Multiple security apps (Web Filter, Virus Scanner, Bandwidth Control, Application Control, SSL Inspection, IDS/IPS, Threat Prevention, etc) all work together to provide a multi-layer security approach.
The logs and reporting are detailed and extensive. That can sometimes be overwhelming, but also invaluable once you know how to use them.
Untangle is much, much more than "just" a web filter. The academic discount is completely worth what is provided.
Of course, Untangle support is very good. Their community forums are also very strong.

These areas of improvement have already been submitted to Untangle for review. One of them is the ability to filter by user groups the login access used by the Captive Portal app.
This is always under improvement, but working on the reports to help them to not be as overwhelming to new users. Also the ability to have a dedicated reporting "dashboard" for specific users, especially if parents request that information. It can be done, but it isn't that easy to set up.
Finally, due to recent academic developments, the ability to expand an existing Untangle appliance to the cloud for cloud-based filtering would be amazing for schools. That is easy to say, but obviously more difficult to achieve.

Most Important Features

Constant updating and ScoutIQ to address new threats
Performance and security
Academic pricing

Return on Investment

Improved performance and security with the existing Internet connection
Significant cost savings over the previous solution
Guaranteed CIPA compliance for student protection

Alternatives Considered

Barracuda Web Security Gateway and Cisco ASA

I could never come close with these two products to the level of functionality and security I have with Untangle. Simply put, there is absolutely no contest. In addition, the cost of these other solutions was many thousands more than the academic cost for Untangle.
Many times have I experienced threats and inappropriate content passing through these other products. All of that was stopped the moment I implemented Untangle, even before I started to customize the settings.

Key Insights

Do you think Untangle NG Firewall delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Untangle NG Firewall's feature set?

Yes

Did Untangle NG Firewall live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Untangle NG Firewall go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Untangle NG Firewall again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365)

Likelihood to Recommend

Untangle is very strong in the "traditional" sense of security. That means an edge appliance that either works with an existing router or is the router itself (recommended). This approach has also been adapted well to cloud environments in order to protect virtual servers and VDI workstations.

As mentioned earlier, many schools are using cloud-based filtering for their 1:1 solutions for their students. This is an area where Untangle is unable to serve. Some have used an instance of Untangle in the cloud with VPN to serve their remote needs, but it is not the same as solutions that are designed for cloud-based filtering of devices without VPN.

Untangle Your Network to Safeguard Your Students

Overall Satisfaction with Untangle NG Firewall