Advanced Policy Firewall vs Microsoft Quick Assist

Advanced Policy Firewall is a free GNU GPL firewall system for Internet-deployed Linux servers. It uses iptables/netfilter to combine static rules, stateful connection policies, and checks for attack patterns and forged source addresses. Administrators can configure granular inbound and outbound filtering, including rules based on users and applications. Additional controls include reactive address blocking, GeoIP country filtering, and Spamhaus and DShield lists. IPv6 dual-stack filtering can create ip6tables rules automatically. Documentation describes snapshots loading more than 1,000 rules in under one second, plus integrations with BFD, cron, systemd, Docker/Kubernetes, and logrotate. APF requires Linux, iptables/netfilter, and Bash, and supports legacy and nft backends. Listed systems include RHEL/Rocky/AlmaLinux 8 and 9, CentOS 6 and 7, Debian 12, and Ubuntu 12.04, 20.04, and 24.04. Development mode initially flushes the firewall every five minutes; only SSH port 22 is open by default.

Microsoft Quick Assist lets someone get help with a computer problem from family or friends, or help them remotely. For a session, the helper generates a six-digit code; the person receiving help must allow the connection and screen sharing. The helper can use a laser pointer, annotations and chat, and can request control, which requires separate approval. The Windows app is installed from Microsoft Store for Windows 10 and 11. The macOS app is limited to Microsoft Support interactions, and the web app is only for verified Microsoft support agents. Both parties need internet access, and the helper signs in with a Microsoft account or Microsoft Entra ID. Quick Assist uses HTTPS over port 443 and TLS 1.2. Microsoft says it logs session times, errors and features used, cannot view session activity or keystrokes, and does not retain participant data longer than three days. File transfer and mobile apps are not supported. The free plan costs nothing.