Securing Your Network With MikroTik Router Firewall Policies

Hello everyone! Today, we are going to talk about how to secure your MikroTik router using a technique called port knocking. Port knocking is a way to protect your router by opening specific ports only when a certain sequence of network activity is detected. This will make your router more secure and less vulnerable to attacks.

To start off, let's define what a MikroTik router is. A MikroTik router is a hardware device that is used to connect two or more networks together. It is commonly used in small to medium-sized businesses as it offers features such as firewall, VPN, and Web proxy. Now, let's dive into the details of how to secure your MikroTik router using port knocking.

MikroTik Firewall : Securing your Router with Port Knocking

What is Port Knocking?

Port knocking is a security technique used to protect computers from port scanning attacks. When a port scanner tries to scan your router, port knocking will keep all ports closed. Only after a certain sequence of network activity is detected, will the ports be opened to allow access to your router. This sequence of network activity is known as the "knock".

Port knocking can be done in different ways, but the most common method is to send a sequence of TCP or UDP packets to specific ports on your router. This sequence of packets is determined by a secret code that only authorized users know. Once the correct sequence of packets is received by your router, the ports will open, allowing access to your router.

How to Implement Port Knocking on Your MikroTik Router

Now that we know what port knocking is, let's see how to implement it on your MikroTik router. Here are the steps:

First, you need to create a firewall rule that drops all traffic on the ports you want to protect.
Next, you need to create a port knocking chain containing several rules that will allow access only if the correct sequence of packets is received.
Then, you need to create a chain containing rules that will add the IP address of the user who sent the correct sequence of packets to the address list.
Finally, you need to create a rule that allows access to the ports you have protected only from the IP addresses in the address list.

That's it! You have successfully implemented port knocking on your MikroTik router. Now, only authorized users who know the correct sequence of packets can access your router and the protected ports.

Advantages of Using Port Knocking on Your MikroTik Router

Here are some of the advantages of using port knocking on your MikroTik router:

Increased Security: Port knocking makes your router more secure by closing all ports and only opening them when the correct sequence of packets is received.
Less Vulnerable to Attacks: With port knocking, your router is less vulnerable to attacks such as port scanning and brute-force attacks.
Only Authorized Users Can Access Your Router: Only users who know the correct sequence of packets can access your router once port knocking is implemented.
Easy Implementation: Port knocking can be easily implemented on your MikroTik router using the steps we discussed earlier.

Disadvantages of Using Port Knocking on Your MikroTik Router

While port knocking offers increased security for your MikroTik router, there are some disadvantages to consider:

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Complex Configuration: Port knocking requires complex configuration and setup, which can be challenging for novice users.
Possible False Positives: There is a possibility of false positives, where legitimate users may not be able to access the protected ports if the correct sequence of packets is not received.
Not Foolproof: Port knocking is not a foolproof security measure and can be bypassed by an experienced attacker.

Conclusion

With the increasing number of cyber attacks and security breaches, it is important to secure your MikroTik router to prevent unauthorized access and data theft. Port knocking is a technique that can be easily implemented on your MikroTik router to increase security and prevent attacks such as port scanning and brute-force attacks. While there are some disadvantages to using port knocking, the advantages far outweigh them and make it a valuable security measure to consider.

Thank you for reading this article and we hope that you found it informative and helpful. If you have any queries or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Stay safe and secure online!