ProtoWall
Encyclopedia
ProtoWall is a closed-source freeware
program for IP blocking
that is similar to PeerBlock
. It is designed to block connections from organizations such as MediaSentry
, BayTSP
and MediaDefender
while using peer-to-peer file sharing
networks.
This application was developed to provide more protection to users than PeerGuardian Version 1 was able to do.
Protowall is a lightweight program that runs in the background, taking up little CPU and memory, while blocking thousands of bad IP addresses. In Protowall, all the work is done by the driver that filters each packet, extracts the IP header and then compares the address with the ones in the table, then either discards or permits the packet to pass. The GUI is essentially a "driver instructor" that communicates to the driver the IP list to check against. The GUI also receives notifications from the driver when a packet arrives and when actions are performed with a packet. Protowall Blocks both inbound and outbound packets. Protowall blocks incoming packets from Internet addresses that are on the Bluetack Blacklists. This is handled by another program called the Blocklist Manager. This program finds and retrieves lists of bad IP addresses. They are sorted (overlapping resolved) and then converted to various formats such as Protowall, PeerGuardian & other common applications and firewalls.
ProtoWall achieves this via a low-level driver
that filters network traffic. It is capable of filtering all NDIS protocols including IPV6 and, most importantly, TCP/IP and UDP
– two protocols which are essential for the operation of file-sharing software. The driver sits at a low-level in the system and consequently there is only a small loss of performance when the driver is active.
ProtoWall's filtering is controlled by the use of blocklists
, text files containing the IP addresses of organizations opposed to file-sharing (such as MediaDefender
and MediaSentry
)
Although it works in a similar manner, ProtoWall is not a fully featured software firewall
and is not suitable for securing a computer from internet-based attacks, however it can be used alongside a firewall without problems.
Unlike similar programs such as PeerBlock
and MoBlock
, ProtoWall remains closed-source. The creators of ProtoWall state that ProtoWall remains closed-source to "prevent cloning and others stealing its code."
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
program for IP blocking
IP blocking
IP blocking prevents the connection between a server/website and certain IP addresses or ranges of addresses. IP blocking effectively bans undesired connections from those computers to a website, mail server, or other Internet server....
that is similar to PeerBlock
PeerBlock
PeerBlock is a free software firewall application. PeerBlock is the successor to PeerGuardian . It blocks incoming and outgoing connections to Internet IP addresses that are included on blocklists accessible over the Internet which may be selected by the user, but also any addresses manually...
. It is designed to block connections from organizations such as MediaSentry
MediaSentry
MediaSentry was a United States company that provided services to the music recording, motion picture, television, and software industries for locating and identifying IP addresses that are engaged in the use of online networks to share material in a manner said organizations claim is in violation...
, BayTSP
BayTSP
Irdeto Intelligence is a copyright enforcement company based in Los Gatos, California. Irdeto Intelligence was formed by CEO Mark M. Ishikawa and offers defensive services to owners of intellectual property concerned about potential unauthorized distribution through the Internet...
and MediaDefender
Mediadefender
MediaDefender, Inc. is a company that offers services designed to prevent alleged copyright infringement using peer-to-peer distribution. They are controversial because of their use of unusual tactics such as flooding peer-to-peer networks with decoy files that tie up users' computers and...
while using peer-to-peer file sharing
Peer-to-peer file sharing
P2P or Peer-to-peer file sharing allows users to download files such as music, movies, and games using a P2P software client that searches for other connected computers. The "peers" are computer systems connected to each other through internet. Thus, the only requirements for a computer to join...
networks.
This application was developed to provide more protection to users than PeerGuardian Version 1 was able to do.
Protowall is a lightweight program that runs in the background, taking up little CPU and memory, while blocking thousands of bad IP addresses. In Protowall, all the work is done by the driver that filters each packet, extracts the IP header and then compares the address with the ones in the table, then either discards or permits the packet to pass. The GUI is essentially a "driver instructor" that communicates to the driver the IP list to check against. The GUI also receives notifications from the driver when a packet arrives and when actions are performed with a packet. Protowall Blocks both inbound and outbound packets. Protowall blocks incoming packets from Internet addresses that are on the Bluetack Blacklists. This is handled by another program called the Blocklist Manager. This program finds and retrieves lists of bad IP addresses. They are sorted (overlapping resolved) and then converted to various formats such as Protowall, PeerGuardian & other common applications and firewalls.
ProtoWall achieves this via a low-level driver
Device driver
In computing, a device driver or software driver is a computer program allowing higher-level computer programs to interact with a hardware device....
that filters network traffic. It is capable of filtering all NDIS protocols including IPV6 and, most importantly, TCP/IP and UDP
User Datagram Protocol
The User Datagram Protocol is one of the core members of the Internet Protocol Suite, the set of network protocols used for the Internet. With UDP, computer applications can send messages, in this case referred to as datagrams, to other hosts on an Internet Protocol network without requiring...
– two protocols which are essential for the operation of file-sharing software. The driver sits at a low-level in the system and consequently there is only a small loss of performance when the driver is active.
ProtoWall's filtering is controlled by the use of blocklists
IP blocking
IP blocking prevents the connection between a server/website and certain IP addresses or ranges of addresses. IP blocking effectively bans undesired connections from those computers to a website, mail server, or other Internet server....
, text files containing the IP addresses of organizations opposed to file-sharing (such as MediaDefender
Mediadefender
MediaDefender, Inc. is a company that offers services designed to prevent alleged copyright infringement using peer-to-peer distribution. They are controversial because of their use of unusual tactics such as flooding peer-to-peer networks with decoy files that tie up users' computers and...
and MediaSentry
MediaSentry
MediaSentry was a United States company that provided services to the music recording, motion picture, television, and software industries for locating and identifying IP addresses that are engaged in the use of online networks to share material in a manner said organizations claim is in violation...
)
Although it works in a similar manner, ProtoWall is not a fully featured software firewall
Firewall (computing)
A firewall is a device or set of devices designed to permit or deny network transmissions based upon a set of rules and is frequently used to protect networks from unauthorized access while permitting legitimate communications to pass....
and is not suitable for securing a computer from internet-based attacks, however it can be used alongside a firewall without problems.
Unlike similar programs such as PeerBlock
PeerBlock
PeerBlock is a free software firewall application. PeerBlock is the successor to PeerGuardian . It blocks incoming and outgoing connections to Internet IP addresses that are included on blocklists accessible over the Internet which may be selected by the user, but also any addresses manually...
and MoBlock
MoBlock
MoBlock is a Linux application for blocking connections to and from a specified range of hosts.Moblock is an open source IP filtering program for Linux that is similar to PeerGuardian for Windows. It's development has been stopped in favour of Phoenix Labs' official PeerGuardian Linux . Parts of...
, ProtoWall remains closed-source. The creators of ProtoWall state that ProtoWall remains closed-source to "prevent cloning and others stealing its code."