What firewall does the feds use?

[php111]

Before we begin with my question or questions. No, I do not work for the Federal Government. I am just curious so I am expecting to get honest answers.

1.) Does the feds use software or hardware firewalls?

2.) If above is software, what software firewall do they use?

Once again, I am only curious.

[Seer]

"Feds" use several thousand $ worth Cisco routers. Nothing we use here can be compared to this, not even remotely.

This is only a guess though...

[Hugger]

-{ Quote: ""Feds" use several thousand $ worth Cisco routers. Nothing we use here can be compared to this, not even remotely.

This is only a guess though..." }-

And of course what's really scary is that they still get hacked.

[djohn]

Then the hackers gets arrested and offered a job to keep other hackers out.;D

[Seer]

Hi.

-{ Quote: "And of course what's really scary is that they still get hacked." }-

-{ Quote: "Then the hackers gets arrested and offered a job to keep other hackers out." }-

Your both comments show once again (well, to me at least) that security is not just an appliance or a software installed, however perfect and expensive it may be. The most important part is the humans who handle them. A free software firewall can be a powerful weapon in the hands of an expert, just as a Cisco appliance can be totally useless in the hands of an unqualified person.

So it really isn't important what tools "Feds" use, but how they use them.

Cheers,

[jrmhng]

Having a Cisco firewall is a small part in corporate security.

[Mrkvonic]

Hello,
It's a silly question. Did you mean what firewall uses some secretary, what is the perimeter defense of the FBI site server, their databases, the lan etc? Which one?
Mrk

[php111]

-{ Quote: "Hello,
It's a silly question. Did you mean what firewall uses some secretary, what is the perimeter defense of the FBI site server, their databases, the lan etc? Which one?
Mrk" }-


Hi,

I really meant, what firewall does the feds use? I believe that they use Cisco.

[Escalader]

-{ Quote: "Hello,
It's a silly question. Did you mean what firewall uses some secretary, what is the perimeter defense of the FBI site server, their databases, the lan etc? Which one?
Mrk" }-

Hi Mrk:

Although I have a view in general that there are no bad questions only bad answers, in this case I agree with you (again?). This is a question without any content. Why is it raised? Curiosity? Well as a person who takes security seriously that is an insufficient reason to ask.

If I knew I wouldn't answer. If I could guess (and I could) I wouldn't answer either.

If the OP wants help for themselves on FW's and security let them ask those questions and I would be glad to assist. But to ask about the methods used by a third party? .... hmmmmm?

[Happy-Dude]

What I think?

Feds use their own operating system (maybe *nix based). They build their own security OR have a contract with the major hanchos (CISCO).

Otherwise, for the people down their needing to use the top 3 OS varients, they are perhaps secured by the same hardware, but also with corporate grade security software.

[twl845]

If we tell you we'll have to kill you.:lurking:

[GES/POR]

The feds use vista 64 with aero enabled offcource ::)

[blacknight]

If I have to guess, I say that they use something as a modified OpenBSD OS

[Meriadoc]

OS,..Mac and Windows, Mac because of obvious reasons, Windows to save money. A much more interesting subject is the fbi's CIPAV/monitoring malware and how they use vulnerabilities and other means to get their spyware on your computer.

[djohn]

maybe you can contact them here www.fbi.gov and ask the happy laddy at her desktop hey what firewall do you use.;D

[lodore]

-{ Quote: "And of course what's really scary is that they still get hacked." }-
thats only because of the fact it is the FBI plus all software has vunrabilitys. where its a weak password,exploit etc etc. if someone has enough time they can hack any OS.
btw the national security agency apparently use SElinux as part of there security
link (http://www.nsa.gov/selinux/)
i dont know if its true or not. anyone can make a website with whatever content they want.

[henryg]

-{ Quote: "Before we begin with my question or questions. No, I do not work for the Federal Government. I am just curious so I am expecting to get honest answers.

1.) Does the feds use software or hardware firewalls?

2.) If above is software, what software firewall do they use?

Once again, I am only curious." }-

Their choice is Alcatel-Lucent VPN Firewall Brick.

[Brother Esau]

The Government Uses UNIX and Hardware Firewalls

[kdcdq]

Hello all,

The good news: I have done computer security consulting for "the Feds" for several years.

The bad news: I won't tell you what security system(s) they use; not because I can't, but because of National Security concerns. :shifty:
Suffice it to say that the government uses a lot of high-end security systems....

[Seer]

Hi.

-{ Quote: "The good news: I have done computer security consulting for "the Feds" for several years." }-

I fail to see how exactly is this "good news".

-{ Quote: "The bad news: I won't tell you what security system(s) they use; not because I can't, but because of National Security concerns." }-

So why a post then?

Cheers,

[kdcdq]

Seer,

The reason for my post was to tell you (and the other Wilders members) that those of us that KNOW what security systems the "Feds" use CAN'T tell you.

The Department of Homeland Defense guidelines forbid me to discuss security issues with anyone without the proper clearance level(s). It's a simple as that.

[blacknight]

I think that the most security is don't say nothing, don't appear, and not to tell: " I know, but I can't say ". ;D ;D

[yankinNcrankin]

Some of their stuff is developed and created by their own, hence the name is whatever the programmer wants it to be.............8)

[Carver]

This guy used to come here, his user name was "Groom Lake". Groom lake as in Area 51 ..UFO..ROSWELL, he would answer simple questions..just not getting too specific.

[ThunderZ]

Some other things to keep in mind. I have read some of the old DOD documents on recommendations for MS OS settings. They would render the PC all but useless for the average user. I also seriously doubt that anything they use is available to the general public, be it hardware or software.

Keep in mind that the major installations (for lack of a better term) are in electromagnetically shielded rooms. Have heard even the monitors are shielded to prevent color\heat radiants(?) from being able to be read. There is a thread somewhere on the forum that talks about keyboards giving off signals that can be picked up and interpreted into keystrokes. You can bet they are shielded as well.

[Seer]

Hello.

-{ Quote: "The reason for my post was to tell you (and the other Wilders members) that those of us that KNOW what security systems the "Feds" use CAN'T tell you." }-

kdcdq,

I will agree with post #22 and just expand it a bit.

IMO this whole thread is a joke. Just a bunch of guesswork which, I have to admit, was initiated by me. But I was thinking "OK, there is a very small chance that someone knows the answer to the OP's question. And even if there is someone who knows it, he surely won't tell us for obvious paranoid reasons. So let us start a little guessing here so the thread doesn't remain empty, just for a bit of fun".

Then you come in, I don't know who you are and whether what you claim is true or not, and post something like you did. Anyone could've come in here and said that, we are all here anonymous to each other.

You see, here we have 3 options:

- post your guesswork
- post the exact info
- do not post at all

I am sorry, but your post looks to me like a simple bragging without any substantial proof.

[kdcdq]

Seer,

I completely understand your points of view under the "three options" in your last post. It's true; you don't know me from Adam, and whether what I say/post here is, indeed, fact or fiction.

BUT, I do want to clarify one fact: I am NOT, in any way, shape, or form, "bragging without any substantial proof" about my security consulting for the government. I have endured many weeks and weekends away from my home and family in some God-awful places (like after Hurricane Katrina as an example).

So, given the "3 options" in you last post, I will choose #3: "do not post at all".......

[Seer]

-{ Quote: "So, given the "3 options" in you last post, I will choose #3: "do not post at all"......." }-

Fair enough, kdcdq. My point was just that we all must post here according to general forum customs. We do not know each other and as far as I'm concerned you could be a Grand Master of Shadow Ninjas - or whatever you wish to be. So to claim something like that you need to provide some proof.

In the end, I do not say that I don't believe you. It is just that you haven't told us anything that we all didn't already know - as was jokingly indicated in post #11.

But we have ventured far OT here (if there is a topic at all) so I will just say

Cheers and no hard feelings,

[kdcdq]

The same here, Seer. I, too, have no hard feelings.

The best to you and yours....

[Ragzarok]

Hello,
I'm pretty sure the feds, more specifically, the Pentagon, uses Sygate Personal Firewall. Why? because they just got hacked pretty recently.

[alex_s]

-{ Quote: "Before we begin with my question or questions. No, I do not work for the Federal Government. I am just curious so I am expecting to get honest answers.

1.) Does the feds use software or hardware firewalls?

2.) If above is software, what software firewall do they use?

Once again, I am only curious." }-

I can answer you question, but not for free. In exchange I need to know what s/w and h/w use CIA and Mossad :)

[evilscribble]

-{ Quote: "I can answer you question, but not for free. In exchange I need to know what s/w and h/w use CIA and Mossad :)" }-

They use Windows XP Home Edition and D-Link DI-524 routers with comodo free firewall.

I'm guessing they keep their data on offline servers and use endpoint security just in case a hacker breaches comodo.

[alex_s]

-{ Quote: "They use Windows XP Home Edition and D-Link DI-524 routers with comodo free firewall.

I'm guessing they keep their data on offline servers and use endpoint security just in case a hacker breaches comodo." }-

Aha, OK. Now my turn. Feds use Vista and nothing else. While hackers are looking for a way to break Comodo they are completely safe :)

[Coolio10]

-{ Quote: "Aha, OK. Now my turn. Feds use Vista and nothing else. While hackers are looking for a way to break Comodo they are completely safe :)" }-
Makes sense *puppy*

[alex_s]

-{ Quote: "Makes sense *puppy*" }-

Sure. They compete who makes 10 Comodo exploits faster, and this takes all their time :)

[CoolWebSearch]

-{ Quote: "Seer,

The reason for my post was to tell you (and the other Wilders members) that those of us that KNOW what security systems the "Feds" use CAN'T tell you.

The Department of Homeland Defense guidelines forbid me to discuss security issues with anyone without the proper clearance level(s). It's a simple as that." }-

One thing I can't understand, why is such a secret about what they are using for their computer security, if every security given enough time can be penetrated?
Even if there is a possibility of an prototype security system, everything has vulnerabilities, everything can be hacked.
Are they afraid that their system would be hacked, if they tell to public what security system they use against hackers?
To me, it's useless, since hackers can find out these, sooner or later, and these hackers can tell that to other hackers if they wish too, and soon you have everyone knowing it, so what's the point?

[bigc73542]

Would you rather a hacker knew what security apps you use so he has to do a lot less work trying to get in or would you rather they had to work their butts off trying to find out what you use. So why tell them when it is a lot easier to just keep it secret. I know I am not going to loose any sleep not knowing what the Government uses for security.

[TrojanHunter]

I know what they use, It's Norton Internet Sercurity 2005 because they don't have the budget for the newer edition ;D

seriously, the feds are not going to broadcast such information::)

[Kerodo]

I think it's safe to say they use whatever they want to use, which probably includes a wide variety of solutions, and they aren't going to discuss it with anyone.... ;)

[david banner]

-{ Quote: "Hi.



I fail to see how exactly is this "good news".



So why a post then?

Cheers," }-So why a post then?+1

[david banner]

-{ Quote: "I am NOT, in any way, shape, or form, "bragging without any substantial proof" " }- just bragging without substantial proof

[country2]

I have inside ino and they have just recently started implementing zone alarm pro since it was free the other day and the savings will be given to the supervisors at the end of the year calibration.

[ragnarok2012]

Keep in mind that the "FEDS" are not a heterogeneous group, but in fact many groups often in competition or contentious with each other. NASA openly admits that it has 3000 windows based workstations. Other agencies don't even admit that they exist.

If I was a betting man, I would say that they use both custom made super "un- impenetrable" firewalls all they way to some knuckleheads who go naked.

The book the "Cuckoo nest" revealed the stupidity of many Feds and their lack of computer security even after being told about it. It is a dated work now but I think that many of it's warnings go unheeded--even to this day. That is why they are often hacked.

'One hand does not know what the other is doing' seems to be a good motto for the feds.