From Passion Project to Trusted Firewall
IPFire began as a grassroots effort to make the internet a safer place for everyone — starting with a single, powerful idea: security should be accessible, transparent, and in the hands of users.
It all started when a group of system administrators and Open Source enthusiasts saw the need for a firewall that could be trusted — one that wasn’t a black box, that didn’t rely on expensive licensing, and that prioritized performance, flexibility, and freedom. So, they built it themselves.
Built by the Community, for the Community
What started as a fork of IPCop has grown into a robust, independently developed platform. Over the years, IPFire has:
- Introduced its own hardened Linux-based operating system
- Delivered cutting-edge features like Intrusion Protection, VPN, QoS, and a secure update infrastructure
- Maintained a strong commitment to transparency and user privacy
- Today, IPFire is actively maintained by a dedicated team of developers and a global community of contributors, powering firewalls in homes, data centers, schools, government agencies, and enterprises around the world.
A Mission That Matters
We believe that Open Source security matters more than ever. With surveillance, ransomware, and digital threats constantly evolving, IPFire gives users back control — with no hidden costs, no telemetry, and no compromise.
We are committed to keeping the internet safe, one firewall at a time.