OpenSnitch version 1.8.0 has officially been released, featuring significant updates that elevate the application's functionality and user experience. One of the most notable changes is the migration of the graphical user interface (GUI) from PyQt5 to PyQt6. This shift is crucial as support for PyQt5 is diminishing across various GNU/Linux distributions, and the update ensures that OpenSnitch remains current and compatible with modern systems. However, this change may lead to compatibility issues with older distributions, such as Linux Mint 21.2 and Ubuntu 22.04. Users on these older systems can still access the GUI by installing a specific PyQt6 package via pip. Additionally, a Flatpak version is under development to broaden accessibility.
While the new GUI may not work seamlessly with older distributions, the core system service (daemon) version 1.8.0 will still function alongside version 1.7.2, allowing users to transition at their own pace without losing functionality.
Aside from the GUI overhaul, OpenSnitch 1.8.0 introduces several enhancements, including a more organized and streamlined management system for firewall rules, which are now displayed in a single table for easier navigation. The backend of the application also sees significant improvements, allowing users to create application-specific nftables tables directly from the audit section, enhancing filtering precision. Additionally, users can now set a custom audispd_events socket path for increased flexibility.
Task automation features have been expanded as well, enabling tasks to be loaded from disk storage, and introducing new functionalities like an IOC scanner and a dedicated downloader task. These advancements further support complex deployments and improve overall performance.
Usability tweaks accompany the GUI update, including smaller interface adjustments and enhanced notification displays for rule changes. Furthermore, plugin support has been refined, allowing the application to check the versions of installed plugins easily.
However, the OpenSnitch team has acknowledged that users running the 6.17.x kernel series might experience difficulties when creating certain firewall rules, such as those for reject, log, or quota types. The team is actively investigating these issues to ensure comprehensive compatibility across all supported environments.
In conclusion, OpenSnitch 1.8.0 represents a significant step forward in modernizing the application while enhancing its core functionalities and user experience, ensuring that it remains a powerful tool for network security management. Users are encouraged to explore the new features and improvements while keeping an eye out for further updates and fixes
While the new GUI may not work seamlessly with older distributions, the core system service (daemon) version 1.8.0 will still function alongside version 1.7.2, allowing users to transition at their own pace without losing functionality.
Aside from the GUI overhaul, OpenSnitch 1.8.0 introduces several enhancements, including a more organized and streamlined management system for firewall rules, which are now displayed in a single table for easier navigation. The backend of the application also sees significant improvements, allowing users to create application-specific nftables tables directly from the audit section, enhancing filtering precision. Additionally, users can now set a custom audispd_events socket path for increased flexibility.
Task automation features have been expanded as well, enabling tasks to be loaded from disk storage, and introducing new functionalities like an IOC scanner and a dedicated downloader task. These advancements further support complex deployments and improve overall performance.
Usability tweaks accompany the GUI update, including smaller interface adjustments and enhanced notification displays for rule changes. Furthermore, plugin support has been refined, allowing the application to check the versions of installed plugins easily.
However, the OpenSnitch team has acknowledged that users running the 6.17.x kernel series might experience difficulties when creating certain firewall rules, such as those for reject, log, or quota types. The team is actively investigating these issues to ensure comprehensive compatibility across all supported environments.
In conclusion, OpenSnitch 1.8.0 represents a significant step forward in modernizing the application while enhancing its core functionalities and user experience, ensuring that it remains a powerful tool for network security management. Users are encouraged to explore the new features and improvements while keeping an eye out for further updates and fixes
OpenSnitch 1.8.0 released
OpenSnitch 1.8.0 has been released, bringing significant changes, including a GUI overhaul built on PyQt6 instead of PyQt5. This update reflects the shift away from PyQt5 by many GNU/Linux distributions and aims to keep OpenSnitch modern going forward, although it may no longer be compatible with older distros like Linux Mint 21.2 or Ubuntu 22.04. The new version includes several substantial enhancements, such as streamlined firewall rule management, improved backend upgrades, and task automation features.
