Gibraltar (Linux distribution) facts for kids

Gibraltar Firewall was a special kind of computer program. It was like a security guard for computer networks. Imagine it protecting your home Wi-Fi or school computers from bad stuff online. It was based on something called Linux, which is a type of computer operating system. The last version, 3.0, was released on 2010-04-14.

What is Gibraltar Firewall?

Gibraltar Firewall was designed to keep computer networks safe. It acted like a digital wall, stopping unwanted visitors or harmful programs from getting in. This software was especially good at protecting "local area networks" (LANs). A LAN is like all the computers connected together in your home, school, or office.

Who Created Gibraltar?

A person named Dr. Rene Mayrhofer first created Gibraltar Firewall in 1999. Later, starting in 2003, a company called eSYS Information Systems took over its development. They continued to improve and update the software.

How Did Gibraltar Work?

Gibraltar Linux was built using "free software." This means the computer code was open for people to see and change. It also came with a special tool that let people control it using a web browser.

One cool thing about Gibraltar was that it didn't need a hard drive to run. It could start up and work directly from a CD-ROM disc. You could save your settings and important information on a floppy disk or a USB stick.

Since version 2.4, Gibraltar was also available already installed on special computer devices. On these devices, Gibraltar would start up from a small memory card called a compact flash.

Key Features of Gibraltar

Gibraltar Firewall had many important features to keep networks safe and running smoothly. Here are some of its main parts:

• Firewall: This is the main security guard. It checked all the data trying to enter or leave the network. It made sure only safe and allowed information passed through.
• Proxy server: This acts like a middleman for internet requests. It can help speed up web browsing or hide your computer's identity.
• Virtual private network (VPN): A VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection over the internet. It's like building a private tunnel for your data. This is useful for safely connecting to a school or work network from home.
• Spamfilter: This feature helped block unwanted junk email, often called "spam." It kept your inbox cleaner and safer.
• Antivirus gateway: This part checked for computer viruses and other harmful software. It tried to stop them before they could even reach your computers.
• Traffic shaping: This allowed network administrators to control how much internet speed different applications or users got. For example, it could make sure video calls ran smoothly even if someone else was downloading a large file.
• Anonymizer: This feature could help hide your online identity. It made it harder for websites to track who you were or where you were browsing from.