Astaro Security Gateway is a Linux-based distro for protecting computer networks. It is one of the very first security products based on Linux. It “integrates complete Network, Web and Mail Security through an intuitive browser-based user interface”.
Origin - Home Page: Germany - Astaro Security Gateway
Management Interface: Web-based GUI, Astaro Report Manager, Astaro Compliance Reporter, Astaro Command Center
Price: Astaro Security Gateway is free (registration required) for home or individual use. The software, virtual, and hardware appliances are available to business users for a fee.
Key Features: Astaro is a complete security solution. The following are just a subset of the functions performed by this distro: Provides protection against DoS and DDoS attacks, worms, etc; anti-virus zero-day heuristics; VPN access; anti-spam and anti-phishing protection; transparent email encryption; active/active Clustering with integrated load balancing; stateful VoIP support; user authentication via Active Directory, eDirectory, Radius, Tacacs+, LDAP or Local; IPS with real-time signature updates; SPI firewall, transparent proxies; P2P and instant messenger controls; URL filtering.
Comments: Astaro is one of the very first Linux-based security solutions, and it’s truely a full-featured network security appliance. Aside from providing software and VMware appliances, hardware appliances pre-loaded with Astaro security solutions are also available.
The software appliance is installable on any Intel-compatible PC that meets the following minimum recommendations: Intel Pentium III 900 MHz, 512MB RAM, and at least a 10 GB hard disk. Home user licenses are available for free, limit 10 users or 10 IP addresses per license.
Download/Buy: You may download installation images for the software appliance and virtual appliance. Commercial entities may visit the Astaro Web site for purchasing information.
Tutorials/Tips: A series of excellent easy to follow video tutorials can be found here.
