FileAudit vs Open Source Tripwire

FileAudit monitors, alerts on, and reports access to files and folders across Windows file servers and supported cloud storage. On Windows, it records access events in real time and associates them with user accounts, IP addresses, and machine names. Alerts can flag denied access, deletions, or mass file events; predefined PowerShell scripts can be configured to block or log off a user. Reports cover NTFS permissions, permission changes, ownership, and file or folder properties. Cloud auditing is an add-on for services including OneDrive for Business, SharePoint Online, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, Dropbox Business, and Box. It reads provider audit logs and collects activity metadata rather than file contents; connected services need a supported subscription plan and administrator authorization. Deployment is agentless, so the software need not be installed on the Windows server under audit. Reports are described as supporting GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and PCI-DSS. Requirements include Windows Server 2012 R2 or later, Windows 8.1 or later, and .NET Framework 4. The trial lasts 20 days and is limited to three servers. Pricing is based on an annual subscription determined by users and systems audited.

Open Source Tripwire is free file and directory integrity-monitoring software for Linux, macOS, BSD variants, Solaris, AIX, HP-UX, Minix, Haiku, GNU/Hurd, and Cygwin. It compares the current filesystem with a known baseline and reports differences. A policy file defines monitored paths and checked attributes such as hashes, permissions, and ownership. Policy, configuration, and database files are signed by default, while reports may also be signed. Email reports are available when enabled in configuration. The project suggests scheduling periodic checks with cron, but its install script does not create those jobs. RPM, Debian, and make-based installation use a setup script for initial keys and policy creation. It runs on the user’s own system rather than as a managed service. Windows builds through Cygwin lack Registry monitoring and Windows-specific file attributes. The software uses GNU GPL version 2 or any later version. Separate commercial Tripwire products are also offered.