Setup Pfsense Firewall
🛡️ Building a Digital Shield: Using pfSense with pfBlockerNG and Snort
“Physical shielding is one layer — but digital shielding is just as critical.”
If you’re a Targeted Individual, whistleblower, or just privacy-conscious, network-level protection is your first line of defense against tracking, surveillance, and remote tampering. Thanks to tools like pfSense, pfBlockerNG, and Snort, you can build a fortress-grade firewall at home — and Lawrence Tech’s tutorials show exactly how.
🎥 Where to Start: The Lawrence Tech Videos
If you want to follow along, these videos walk you step-by-step through:
- ✅ Installing pfSense (enterprise-grade firewall software)
- 🔐 Setting up pfBlockerNG to block malicious IPs, ads, and telemetry
- 🕵️♂️ Installing Snort for real-time intrusion detection and prevention
💡 These are free tools used by professionals — and now you can use them too.
💻 What Is pfSense?
pfSense is an open-source firewall/router OS based on FreeBSD. It runs on cheap hardware or even a virtual machine. Once installed, it acts as a smart filter for all incoming/outgoing traffic on your network.
Main Benefits:
- Full control of your internet gateway
- Advanced firewall rules
- VPN integration
- Traffic shaping and logging
🌍 What Is pfBlockerNG?
This is a powerful pfSense add-on that:
- Blocks known tracking servers, ad networks, spyware, and bad IP ranges
- Supports GeoIP filtering (block entire countries or regions)
- Updates automatically with threat intelligence feeds
Example: Want to block every IP from known government or cloud surveillance sources? Just load the right blocklist.
🧠 What Is Snort?
Snort is an intrusion detection and prevention system (IDS/IPS). It watches your network traffic in real time and can:
- Detect known attack patterns (signatures)
- Alert you to suspicious behavior
- Block malicious packets before they reach your devices
With Snort, you’re not just passively protected — you’re actively scanning for threats.
🖥️ Hardware Recommendation: pfSense Boxes on a Budget
For most TIs and privacy-focused users, you don’t need a server rack or enterprise router. In fact, you can now buy dedicated pfSense-compatible firewall boxes online — and they’re more powerful than you’d expect.
💡 Best Value: 5-Port pfSense Mini PCs (Fanless)
- 💰 Price: Around $200 USD on eBay or Amazon
- 🌐 Ports: Usually 4 to 6 Intel NICs (enough for LAN, WAN, VLANs, VPN, DMZ, etc.)
- 🧠 CPU: Quad-core Celeron or i5 (sufficient for Snort, pfBlocker, and VPN)
- 🧮 RAM: Buy the 16GB RAM version! Snort needs it for rule processing and full DPI
- 💽 Storage: SSD preferred (64GB+)
🔎 Search eBay for:
pfSense box 16GB 5 portorfirewall appliance 16GB RAM
These boxes are compact, low-power, silent, and purpose-built for projects like this.
🔧 Why 16GB RAM?
If you plan to run Snort with full rule sets or GeoIP blocklists with pfBlockerNG, RAM usage adds up fast.
- 👎 4GB or 8GB = risk of crashing or slowdowns under load
- ✅ 16GB = optimal performance for filtering, logging, and inspection
You’re building a real security device, not a toy router — treat it like a shield, not a sponge.
🧱 Summary Setup Flow
| Step | Tool | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| 💽 Install pfSense | From USB ISO | Converts box into enterprise firewall |
| 🌐 Configure WAN/LAN ports | Web UI | Define internal and external networks |
| 🌍 Install pfBlockerNG | GUI package manager | Blocks telemetry, malware IPs, ads |
| 📡 Add feeds | pfBlocker | Update lists like FireHOL, Spamhaus, EmergingThreats |
| 🧠 Install Snort | GUI package manager | Enables packet-level attack detection |
| ⚙️ Load Snort rules | GUI or manual | Filters exploits, data exfiltration, probes |
🧪 Use Case for TIs
As a Targeted Individual, you may face:
- Network probes
- Remote activation of implants/devices
- Backdoors via smart devices or apps
- Persistent surveillance
This setup lets you:
- Block and log suspicious traffic
- Isolate critical systems from the open internet
- Detect unauthorized communication attempts from smart devices or signal-based systems
📌 Summary Setup Flow
| Step | Tool | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| 🔧 Install pfSense | pfSense ISO | Turns your box into a secure router |
| 🌐 Set WAN/LAN IPs | Web GUI | Basic firewall setup |
| 🌍 Install pfBlockerNG | Package Manager | Blocks regions, ads, and telemetry |
| 🔥 Add threat feeds | pfBlocker | Pull in IP lists for malware & spyware |
| 🧠 Install Snort | Package Manager | Real-time attack detection and prevention |
| 🧾 Setup alert rules | Snort GUI | Choose what to detect and how to act |
🧱 Final Thoughts
This system isn’t just for geeks — it’s defensive technology for those who are being watched, hunted, or harassed through the network layer. Whether you’re trying to block data exfiltration, stop unauthorized commands, or just take control of your network, pfSense with pfBlockerNG and Snort is your digital Faraday cage.
🧬 Protect your data. Protect your devices. Protect your sanity.