Would you like to learn how to install Snort on Pfsense?In this tutorial, we are going to show you all the steps required to perform the Snort installation on a Pfsense server in 5 minutes or less.
• Pfsense 2.4.4-p3
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PFSense – Snort Installation
Open a browser software, enter the IP address of your Pfsense firewall and access web interface.
In our example, the following URL was entered in the Browser:
• https://192.168.15.30
The Pfsense web interface should be presented.
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On the prompt screen, enter the Pfsense Default Password login information.
• Username: admin
• Password: pfsense
After a successful login, you will be sent to the Pfsense Dashboard.
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Access the Pfsense System menu and select the Package manager option.
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On the package manager screen, access the Available packages tab.
On the Available packages tab, search for SNORT and install the Snort package.
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In our example, we installed the Snort package version 3.2.9.10.
Wait the Snort installation to finish.
Access the Pfsense Services menu and select the Snort option.
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On the Global settings tab, locate the Snort Subscriber Rules and perform the following configuration:
• Enable Snort VRT – Yes
• Snort Oinkmaster Code – Enter you OikCode
If you don’t have an Oinkcode, access the Snort website, create an account and get a free Oinkcode.
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Locate the Rules Update Settings area and perform the following configuration:
• Update Interval – Select the desired update interval
• Update Start Time – Set the desired time to update the Snort rules
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Locate the General Settings area and perform the following configuration:
• Remove Blocked Hosts Interval – 1 Hour
• Remove Blocked Hosts After Deinstall – No
• Keep Snort Settings After Deinstall – Yes
• Startup/Shutdown LoggingUpdate Interval – no
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On the Updates tab, Click on the Update rules button to download the Snort rules.
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On the Snort Interfaces tab, Click on the Add button and perform the following configuration.
• Enable – Yes
• Interface – Select the desired interface to monitor
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Locate the Alert Settings area and perform the following configuration:
• Send Alerts to System Log – Yes
• Block Offenders – Enable if you want to block offenders
• Kill States – Yes
• Which IP to Block – BOTH
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After finishing the configuration, click on the Save button.
On the Snort interfaces screen, edit the interface configuration.
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Access the Wan categories tab and perform the following configuration:
• Resolve Flowbits – Yes
• Use IPS Policy – Yes
• IPS Policy Selection – Connectivity
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In our example, we enabled the IPS feature and selected the policy named Connectivity.
After finishing the configuration, click on the Save button and start the Snort service on the interface.
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Congratulations! You have finished the Snort installation on a Pfsense server.