The skinny: Untangle for Windows is a Unified Threat Manager (UTM), which acts as a gateway to filter all web traffic on your small (up to 10 computers) network. It’s available as a free download from Untangle’s site. Untangle for Windows doesn’t need a dedicated computer (it runs in the background). Based on which options you choose, you can block advertisements, stop viruses, allow or block websites (based on category), and have access to these and other commercial-grade technologies that not too long ago were too expensive for the home office/small office.
The configuration we set up is a for a simple home network (see diagram below). The computer where Untangle for Windows is installed must have a wired connection. In our case, all other computers access the network through the wireless router. This way, anyone using your wireless network (for example, a visitor who wants to access your wireless network with their computer) will also benefit from whatever options (virus blocking, advertisement blocking, etc) that you have set up.
NOTE: The current version of Untangle for Windows is beta software. While we haven’t experienced any issues, it’s wise to install beta software only on a test computer rather than a “mission-critical” computer.
Let’s go through the setup step-by step:
Preparation:
0) Network configuration – Ensure your network configuration can be used with Untangle for Windows. The Untangle Team has a helpful diagram in their Quick Start Guide.
1) Get the software – Download Untangle for Windows – The file size is 571 megabytes.
2) Housekeeping – Disable wireless connection (if necessary) and ensure computer’s power settings are “Always On.”
Installation:
3) Base Install – View Untangle’s < 4 minute setup tutorial video for an overview. We took the default install options. The password you must specify during the installation is used to administer Untangle for Windows.
After the reboot, it can take up to 30 minutes for the installation to complete. In our case, it took about 20 minutes.
4) Add any additional components – Once the base installation is complete, leave the default “Launch Untangle Administration” option checked. Log in using the password you supplied during installation. You should now see the “default rack” with several of Untangle’s components already installed.
One component that is not installed is Ad Blocker. On Untangle for Windows’ Administration page, scroll down on the left-hand section to Ad Blocker. Once there, click “More information.” This will open a page from Untangle’s web site where you can click the “Download” button. This will install Ad Blocker into your Default Rack.
Verification
5) Test Untangle for Windows – At this point, Untangle should be filtering your web traffic for each of the computers on your network. Untangle’s 5.5 minute “Using Untangle for Windows” video shows how you can confirm it’s working.
Bottom Line: Untangle for Windows can give your network serious protection, and easily give you control over which web sites your users can access. Although the Windows version of Untangle is in beta, the Linux versions of Untangle are very mature, and the technology it uses are proven.
The software is free, due to Untangle’s committment to using open-source solutions. Since you don’t need a dedicated computer for Untangle for Windows, hardware costs can be free (by using a computer you already own).
Take a look at Untangle for Windows as a way to protect your home/small business network of 10 or less computers.