Assignment # 04

Name: Zeeshan Noor

BSSE 2018A

Information Security

Id: cu-479-2018

a) Why we need a firewall for Android-based devices?

Ans: We need a firewall for Android-based devices because , It acts as a fence to

protect the computer system. The firewall automatically blocks untrusted
connections and malicious content. It acts as a gate between the internet and
your Android device.

b) Search to find the list of available firewalls for Android?

1. NoRoot Firewall

NoRoot Firewall is by far the best firewall app for Android that we have ever used.
Compared to other firewall apps, NoRoot Firewall is very easy to use, and it works
on non-rooted devices also. The app offers hostname/domain name filtering options,
fine-grained access controls, and a few other useful features. However, the app
might not work with LTE because it doesn’t support IPv.

2. AFWall+

If you have a rooted Android smartphone, you can use AFWall+ to control your
device’s internet activities. Just like NoRoot Firewall, AFWall+ also allows users to
control internet access on a per-app basis. Apart from all of these, AFWall+ also
brings some additional features like connecting with the tasker to perform some
predefined sets of tasks. So, it’s another best firewall app for Android which you can
use.

3. NetGuard

Just like other firewall apps for Android, NetGuard also allows you to log outgoing and
incoming traffic. Although the outgoing traffic log is limited to the premium version, the
free version can monitor the incoming traffic. The app works on both rooted and non-
rooted devices and provides simple and advanced ways to block access to the internet.

4. Mobiwol: NoRoot Firewall

It is an advanced firewall app that you can have on your Android smartphone. The
great thing about Mobiwol: NoRoot Firewall is that it shows you which app is
consuming much of your internet data. So, Mobiwol: NoRoot Firewall is also one of
the best app managers which you can use to figure out data consumption. So, if you
find any app hogging your internet data, you can block them through Mobiwol:
NoRoot Firewall.

5. NetPatch Firewall

Well, NetPatch Firewall is a little bit different compared to all other firewall apps
listed above. This is one sort of advanced firewall app which you can use to create
the domain and IP groups, block any specific IP Addresses, etc. Almost all other
NetPatch Firewall features remain the same as other apps, like blocking mobile data
and WiFi individually on a per-app basis.

6. NoRoot Data Firewall

NoRoot Data Firewall is known for its blocking capabilities. The NoRoot Data
Firewall interface is beyond amazing, and it can notify you whenever any blocked
app tries to connect with the internet. Apart from all of these, NoRoot Data Firewall
also got the ability to record all network interactions made by pre-installed apps.

7. InternetGuard

InternetGuard is another top-rated Android firewall app on the list which works on
both rooted and non-rooted Android devices. With this app, you can create custom
profiles to block apps from using the internet while connected to WiFi or mobile data.
Apart from that, it was the user-interface that makes the app stand out from the
crowd.

8. VPN Safe Firewall

 Like all other Firewall apps, VPN Safe Firewall also allows users to allow/block
individual addresses per application. The great thing about VPN Safe Firewall is that
it’s completely free, and it doesn’t need root access to block apps from using the
internet.

9. Avast Antivirus

If you have a rooted Android smartphone, then you can use Avast Antivirus for
complete all-around security. Avast Antivirus is a multipurpose app that serves as an
Antivirus, App locker, call blocker, photo vault, VPN, Firewall. The firewall feature of
Avast Antivirus needs root access, and it can restrict apps from using the internet.

10. Protect Net

Protect Net is a relatively new Android firewall app available on the Google Play
Store. The great thing about Protect Net is that it works on both rooted and non-
rooted Android smartphone. Just like all other Android firewall apps, Protect Net also
allows users to disable internet usage of both WiFi and Mobile data per-app basis.
Protect Net relies upon VPN connection to restrict data usage.

b) Explain, in general terms, how a firewall (for Android) works?

Ans : Firewalls are software or hardware that work as a filtration system for the
data attempting to enter your computer or network. Firewalls scan packets for
malicious code or attack vectors that have already been identified as established
threats.

Example:(no root firewall)

As the name suggests, the app doesn't require you to root your Android. Instead, it
creates a VPN and diverts all the traffic on your phone through it. This way, you can
choose which traffic you want to allow and which you want to stop. When any app tries
to access the Internet, you'll get an alert where you can allow or deny it and save the
setting for the future. This level of control can also let you see when a certain app is
accessing data for ads and block it.

NoRoot Firewall also gives you the option to set up filters, both globally as well as for
individual apps. Much like a VPN on your PC, these filters let you allow or deny
connections to certain IP addresses.