Software:Guardian Firewall

From HandWiki
Guardian Firewall
Developer(s)Sudo Security Group
Initial releaseJune 2019; 6 years ago (2019-06)
Operating systemiOS, macOS, Android, Windows, Fire OS
TypeVirtual private network, Firewall, Privacy software
LicenseProprietary
Websiteguardianapp.com

Guardian Firewall is a privacy-focused application that combines virtual private network (VPN) and firewall functionality to block data and location trackers on mobile and desktop devices.[1][2] Developed by Sudo Security Group and founded by security researcher Will Strafach, the application is available for iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, and Fire OS platforms.[3][4]

History

Guardian Firewall was founded in 2013 by Will Strafach, a security researcher and former iPhone jailbreaker known by the alias "Chronic."[5][6] The company gained prominence in 2017 when Strafach discovered that the AccuWeather mobile application was transmitting precise user location data to third-party companies without user permission.[7][8]

The Guardian Firewall application became publicly available in June 2019, initially launching for iOS devices.[9][10] The application subsequently expanded to additional platforms including macOS, Android, Windows, and Fire OS.

In August 2022, Guardian was acquired by DNSFilter, a provider of DNS-based web content filtering and threat protection.[11][12] Following the acquisition, Guardian continued to operate as a standalone application while integrating DNSFilter's AI-powered DNS security features.[13]

Functionality

Guardian Firewall operates by routing device traffic through an encrypted VPN tunnel to Guardian's servers, where the system identifies and blocks unauthorized tracking attempts.[14][15] The application blocks connections to location trackers, email trackers, and data collection services while encrypting network traffic using AES-256 encryption.[16][17]

The software supports both IKEv2 and WireGuard VPN protocols.[18][19]

Privacy

Guardian Firewall operates on a no-logs policy, stating that it does not collect or store user activity data, connection logs, or personally identifiable information.[20][21] The service underwent independent security audits by security firm Assured in 2024 to verify its privacy practices and infrastructure configurations.[22][23]

Brave Browser Partnership

In July 2020, Guardian partnered with Brave Software to integrate Guardian's firewall and VPN technology into the Brave web browser.[24][25] The integration, branded as Brave Firewall + VPN, provides system-wide protection beyond browser traffic and is available across Brave's iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows applications.[26][27]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Fleishman, Glenn (March 20, 2019). "This ingenious new iPhone app is a powerful way to foil data snoops". Fast Company. https://www.fastcompany.com/90275292/this-ingenious-new-iphone-app-is-a-powerful-way-to-foil-data-snoops. 
  2. ↑ "Guardian Firewall + VPN". Apple Inc.. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/guardian-firewall-vpn/id1363796315. 
  3. ↑ Page, Carly (August 10, 2022). "DNSFilter acquires iOS firewall app Guardian". TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/10/dnsfilter-guardian-ios-firewall/. 
  4. ↑ "About Guardian". Guardian Firewall. https://guardianapp.com. 
  5. ↑ Page, Carly (August 10, 2022). "DNSFilter acquires iOS firewall app Guardian". TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/10/dnsfilter-guardian-ios-firewall/. 
  6. ↑ "Legendary iPhone hacker weighs in on Apple's war with the FBI". Yahoo News. February 18, 2016. https://www.yahoo.com/news/legendary-iphone-hacker-weighs-apple-war-fbi-181729112.html. 
  7. ↑ Fleishman, Glenn (March 20, 2019). "This ingenious new iPhone app is a powerful way to foil data snoops". Fast Company. https://www.fastcompany.com/90275292/this-ingenious-new-iphone-app-is-a-powerful-way-to-foil-data-snoops. 
  8. ↑ "A security researcher discovered AccuWeather app tracked, shared your location — even if you 'opt out'". The Washington Post. August 23, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2017/08/23/security-researcher-discovered-accuweather-app-tracks-and-shares-your-location-even-if-you-opt-out/. 
  9. ↑ Sorrel, Charlie (August 5, 2019). "Guardian VPN privacy app for iOS now open to the public, including lite version". 9to5Mac. https://9to5mac.com/2019/08/05/guardian-firewall-vpn-ios-app/. 
  10. ↑ Gruber, John (June 17, 2019). "Introducing Guardian Firewall for iOS". Daring Fireball. https://daringfireball.net/linked/2019/06/17/guardian-firewall. 
  11. ↑ Page, Carly (August 10, 2022). "DNSFilter acquires iOS firewall app Guardian". TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/10/dnsfilter-guardian-ios-firewall/. 
  12. ↑ "DNSFilter Provides a Better Secure Web Gateway with Guardian" (Press release). Business Wire. August 10, 2022.
  13. ↑ Page, Carly (August 10, 2022). "DNSFilter acquires iOS firewall app Guardian". TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/10/dnsfilter-guardian-ios-firewall/. 
  14. ↑ Fleishman, Glenn (March 20, 2019). "This ingenious new iPhone app is a powerful way to foil data snoops". Fast Company. https://www.fastcompany.com/90275292/this-ingenious-new-iphone-app-is-a-powerful-way-to-foil-data-snoops. 
  15. ↑ "Brave and Guardian launch new system-wide firewall and VPN for iOS". TechRadar. July 27, 2020. https://www.techradar.com/news/brave-and-guardian-launch-new-system-wide-firewall-and-vpn-for-ios-and-ipados. 
  16. ↑ "Guardian Firewall + VPN". Apple Inc.. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/guardian-firewall-vpn/id1363796315. 
  17. ↑ "Guardian App: A DNSFilter Product". DNSFilter. https://www.dnsfilter.com/product/guardian. 
  18. ↑ "Guardian Firewall + VPN". Apple Inc.. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/guardian-firewall-vpn/id1363796315. 
  19. ↑ "Guardian App: A DNSFilter Product". DNSFilter. https://www.dnsfilter.com/product/guardian. 
  20. ↑ "Guardian App: A DNSFilter Product". DNSFilter. https://www.dnsfilter.com/product/guardian. 
  21. ↑ Gruber, John (June 17, 2019). "Introducing Guardian Firewall for iOS". Daring Fireball. https://daringfireball.net/linked/2019/06/17/guardian-firewall. 
  22. ↑ "Brave VPN: The secure, fast VPN, right in your browser". Brave Software. https://brave.com/firewall-vpn/. 
  23. ↑ "Brave's built-in VPN is updated with new features, additional servers, and more subscription options". Brave Blog. October 30, 2024. https://brave.com/blog/vpn-relaunch/. 
  24. ↑ "Brave and Guardian Partner to Integrate Brave iOS Browser with Guardian Firewall + VPN, to Power the Fastest, Safest Browsing Experience" (Press release). Brave Software. July 27, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Brave and Guardian launch new system-wide firewall and VPN for iOS". TechRadar. July 27, 2020. https://www.techradar.com/news/brave-and-guardian-launch-new-system-wide-firewall-and-vpn-for-ios-and-ipados. 
  26. ↑ "Brave and Guardian Team Up Again to Integrate the Brave Android Browser with Guardian Firewall + VPN" (Press release). Brave Software. May 24, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Guardian and Brave Browser Partnership". Guardian Firewall. https://help.guardianapp.com/help-center-articles/guardian-and-brave-browser-partnership. 



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