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Other => General Topics => Topic started by: Lisandro on November 20, 2005, 01:39:15 PM

Title: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: Lisandro on November 20, 2005, 01:39:15 PM
I now have all inbound connections blocked, including 'all other applications'.
Can you post your settings for Kerio?
Can other users of Kerio do the same? Maybe we can have here a place to join info about this firewall and not only at other forums (like Wilders, for instance).
Thanks.
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: YLAP on November 20, 2005, 01:46:14 PM
I'm gonna be the first poster.  ;D
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: Lisandro on November 20, 2005, 01:51:03 PM
Thanks Ylap, but not only these ones... but also the 'Advanced' settings like packet filters, Network Security/Predefined's, etc.
I'm trying to learn the best 'set' of configurations... right now, not that sure about any of them... learning only.
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: YLAP on November 20, 2005, 01:59:00 PM
Your wish is my command!  ;D
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: Jarmo P on November 20, 2005, 02:26:44 PM
I think this is not a bad idea Tech ;)
So here are my packet filter rules.

As to other settings: Application, Internet In denied.
Since I dont have a LAN, trusted one is the same for "In", denied.
Only exception is Yahoo Messenger that I allow both ways connections.
Even Skype seems not to need "In", must be statefull packet inspection or something.

In 'Predefineds' only neccessary default pings are allowed, all else denied.
In Trusted I have the default loopback rule, nothing else checked.
In Application Behaviour Blocking I have set IE to asked when first starting it.

That is about it that comes to mind writing this.
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: Jarmo P on November 20, 2005, 02:36:52 PM
The above rules are based on Blitzen Zeus's latest standard ruleset. I mention this since the pic cannot contain all the nessessary information.
http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/remark,8023708

Also 'own DHCP' to svchost only. Propably 'own DNS' could be that too I think, but now allows all the applications still.
Not sure if I need DHCP Broadcasts rule.
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: Lisandro on November 20, 2005, 03:02:41 PM
I think this is not a bad idea Tech ;) So here are my packet filter rules.
Still can't find where I can export the BlitzenZeus's rules and import to mine...
Do I need to make rule by rule manually?  :-\

In 'Predefineds' only neccessary default pings are allowed, all else denied.
In Trusted I have the default loopback rule, nothing else checked.
In Application Behaviour Blocking I have set IE to asked when first starting it.
I will test this as, last time, some of these settings blocked my browsing, I could not find which one...
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: Jarmo P on November 20, 2005, 03:14:03 PM
I made them manually, what a paintaking accuracy job :( 
Somehow I could not import BZ's ruleset via Kerio 4 "Import" button. Might be just my ignorance. To Kerio 2.1.5 the rules were imported from a file.

I am not really sure, if that manual building was needed.  ;)

Edit:
I rememeber vaquely, that trying to import Kerio 2.1.5 config, gave me some error. So i thought, an error, hmmm, lets make it manually. It might have saved time if just accepting that error. But hey, I made my firewall, hehe.
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: bob3160 on November 20, 2005, 04:34:06 PM
A question???
Does it really make sense to discuss a defunct Firewall?
Kerio personal is being discontinued as of the end of this year.
Wouldn't it be much wiser to discuss which Firewall to switch to?
An outdated Firewall which already has some problems is as bad as
using an AV program that's no longer being updated. IMHO
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: Jarmo P on November 20, 2005, 04:52:09 PM
LOL bob, I switched to Kerio 4.2.2 just cause it was announced to be stopped after this year.
I knew it was a good firewall, so I had to try it when it was still in sell, to get a copy to my HD and familiar with it.

There is no need for the current Kerio free users to switch to another firewall IMO.

So let's keep this thread to what Tech intended it.
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: FreewheelinFrank on November 20, 2005, 05:40:33 PM
My settings for Kerio are the default ones, appart from the application rules. (I want a firewall which works 'out of the box'.)

My application rule for 'any other application' is set to block: most applications don't need to accept incoming connections.

(I don't run a server or host online games or do any other stuff that requires incoming connections.)

I've seen some of the rule sets people use for Kerio 2.1.5, but none of that is necessary for 4.2.2. And for anybody not wanting to worry about application rules, the firewall in simple mode doesn't require you to set any.

I think the firewall will still continue to work after the end of the year, unless somebody finds a hole in it. I guess the intrusion detections won't be updated, but I'm not sure how that'll affect security. The free version of Sygate doesn't even have intrusion detection yet a lot of people are happy with it.
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: Jarmo P on November 20, 2005, 06:43:50 PM
Quote
I've seen some of the rule sets people use for Kerio 2.1.5, but none of that is necessary for 4.2.2. And for anybody not wanting to worry about application rules, the firewall in simple mode doesn't require you to set any.

Agreed Frank. It is very easy to use Kerio 4 as just an application rule firewall. I though would use the new application getting asked approach.

By creating packet filter rules like in my post you get to control/see more what is going on rather than have Kerio do it for yourself automatic and propably as safe. Only it does not log so much and I am interested :P

Kerio's default settings and application rules might be even safer since you can make big mistakes by creating bad packet filter rules either by mistake or misknowledge.
Still I think it is a nice feeling having a tight filter ruleset that is easy take in use or unckeck anytime wanted. Especially since Kerio is to be discontinued.
Also I wanted to tell from my own experience how much can be disabled from the default settings by creating a basic packet filter ruleset from BZ origin.
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: Lisandro on November 20, 2005, 07:47:43 PM
It is very easy to use Kerio 4 as just an application rule firewall. I though would use the new application getting asked approach.
Kerio's default settings and application rules might be even safer since you can make big mistakes by creating bad packet filter rules either by mistake or misknowledge.
Isn't the packet filter rules add nothing on security bases to the application rules?
As far I understood, the two methods are excludents, you must choose one...  :-\
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: Jarmo P on November 20, 2005, 08:06:22 PM
Quote
As far I understood, the two methods are excludents, you must choose one...  Undecided

I dont think you need to choose. It is about making a match in a firewall rules about outgoing and incoming data packets basically.

 From the Kerio Help file, Firewall policy:

1. Intrusion detection system (IDS — refer to chapter Network Intrusions Prevention System (NIPS))

2. Stateful inspection of the network traffic (automatically lets in/out packets which belong to permitted connections — see chapter Firewall Behavior),

3. Internal rules for Kerio Personal Firewall components — i.e. permission to access a web server in order to check and download new versions of the program

4. Advanced packet filter rules (see chapter Advanced Packet Filter)

5. Predefined network security rules (see chapter Network Security Predefined Rules)

6. Application rules (more information in chapter Rules for Applications)

So the packet filter rules are applied first before 'Predefineds' or 'Application rules'. But if no match is made in packet filter rules, and you imagine somehow that the default settings are too loose, why not disable them as much as you can? As i do. Here is an opinion of sded, same as mine, the 2 are not exclusives ;)
http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/remark,14826751



Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: Umath on November 20, 2005, 09:41:59 PM
Yes, Kerio 4.x is friendly to both ex 2.x users and new users.  I am using mainly packet filter rules simply because I was a 2.x user.  However, I know combining the rules with other rules would make things easier, which is mainly the matter of preference of each user.  For example, I could put all the internet related apps in application rules and allow them all of their in/outbound connections in trusted area, while leave loopback in Trusted Area tub checked.  Even in this case, I could configure the details of those apps in packet filter rules.  However, this doesn't mean my current Kerio 2.x style configuration is broken.  A good thing about home-baked rules is that they can be optimized for our personal environments and once we established them, we don't need to touch them often.

According to Jarmo P's list, only #3 is not allowed users to configure.  I think Kerio is one of the most configurable firewall applications.  Partly because of this, I think Kerio is a good app to let users understand how network connections work.
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: Lisandro on November 21, 2005, 02:00:33 AM
I think Kerio is one of the most configurable firewall applications.  Partly because of this, I think Kerio is a good app to let users understand how network connections work.
I love configurable programs... I hope that I'll have some spare time to understand and learn all about network connections. You're far ahead me...
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: ams on November 21, 2005, 10:15:19 PM
I just run the default kerio settings, though I have messed with it in the past. Since this a only a secondary firewall (for me) I dont feel the need to tweak it.
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: bob3160 on November 22, 2005, 01:11:48 AM
Since this a only a secondary firewall (for me) I dont feel the need to tweak it.
You shouldn't be using 2 firewalls.  ;D
Just as you shouldn't use to resident AV programs. It only lead to problems.
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: Lisandro on November 22, 2005, 01:43:41 AM
You shouldn't be using 2 firewalls.  ;D Just as you shouldn't use to resident AV programs. It only lead to problems.
Maybe the primary is a hardware one (a router)...  ::) ???
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: ams on November 22, 2005, 03:57:44 AM
Yes I am behind a harware firewall.
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: szc on November 22, 2005, 01:22:34 PM
And that's highly recommended, everyone on broadband connection should have two layers of defence when it comes to firewalls - hardware one as a first wall, and some software one as a second barrier.
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: Jarmo P on November 24, 2005, 07:03:22 PM
Hey Tech, you asked for a firewall configuration of others. How about yours?
I would like you contribute something to this thread :P
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: Lisandro on November 24, 2005, 07:58:41 PM
Hey Tech, you asked for a firewall configuration of others. How about yours?
I would like you contribute something to this thread :P
I wish I could...
I just use the default settings of Kerio. Allowing programs (denying all Inbound connections, except for P2P applications).
I'm not felling good having to add manually all that list of rules, testing, etc.
I'm not good with firewalls, learning is the word right now. So, I've started this thread to learn  ;D
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: Jarmo P on November 24, 2005, 09:16:15 PM
default seeings should be just fine :)
I know a many people here, used Kerio 2.1.5, and like i told, those rules adapt to kpf 4.2.2 nice.

But Kerio I think works well just as an applcation firewall.
I had to make a few rules to block 'system', what ever that is (ntoskrnl.exe) I think. Is nornal to block that if no LAN.

Heh sort of happy though i have bz packet rules.
I dont need them, i and i dont need win XP sp2 firewall too, but i love loggings
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: Lisandro on December 20, 2005, 03:45:36 PM
I've moved to Comodo (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=17020.msg154397#msg154397).
After uninstalling Kerio, the following keys left behind  :(
[HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-... \Software\Kerio] and tons of subkeys.
[HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Kerio]

But, worst, these legacy  >:(  >:(
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root\LEGACY_KHIPS\0000\\DeviceDesc
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Enum\Root\LEGACY_KHIPS
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Enum\Root\LEGACY_KHIPS\0000\\DeviceDesc

I hate bad uninstallers  >:(
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: AvastForever on December 21, 2005, 09:18:46 AM
And that's highly recommended, everyone on broadband connection should have two layers of defence when it comes to firewalls - hardware one as a first wall, and some software one as a second barrier.

So that means you can use Windows XP Firewall (Since its a Hardware Firewall i think...) and Sunbelt Personal Firewall together?
Title: Re: Kerio settings (post and discuss Kerio Firewall settings)
Post by: Jarmo P on December 21, 2005, 11:04:58 AM
No Avastforever, it is software, of course.
HD firewall is aa outside box, some may have it also on network card i think.

Kerio Sunbelt firewall just came, a new free forum on castlecops too.

http://castlecops.com/f208-Sunbelt_Kerio.html