# PeerGuardian

> free and open source program developed by Phoenix Labs

**Wikidata**: [Q1092824](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1092824)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PeerGuardian)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/peerguardian

## Summary
PeerGuardian is a free and open-source firewall application developed by Phoenix Labs. Originally released in 2003, it is designed to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic on Microsoft Windows operating systems. The software is licensed under the GNU General Public License.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date:** Inception year is 2003.
- **Developer:** Phoenix Labs.
- **License:** GNU General Public License (Free and Open Source).
- **Software Class:** Application and Firewall.
- **Operating System:** Microsoft Windows.
- **Programming Languages:** C and C++ (Wikidata IDs Q2407 and Q15777).
- **Aliases:** P2Partisan, Peer Guardian.
- **Project Status:** Copyrighted; SourceForge project ID is "peerguardian".
- **Website:** http://phoenixlabs.org/pg2/

## FAQs
### Q: Is PeerGuardian free to use?
A: Yes, PeerGuardian is free software released under the GNU General Public License.

### Q: What operating system does PeerGuardian run on?
A: According to available structured data, PeerGuardian runs on Microsoft Windows. There is also a related ArchWiki article for "PeerGuardian Linux."

### Q: When was PeerGuardian created?
A: The project has an inception date of 2003.

## Why It Matters
PeerGuardian serves as a specialized network security tool that functions as an application and a firewall for end-users. Its significance lies in providing a free, open-source method for individuals to monitor and control network traffic based on predetermined security rules. By operating under the GNU General Public License, it offers transparency and adaptability uncommon in proprietary security software, allowing users to verify and modify the code. Developed by Phoenix Labs, it represents a community-driven approach to network security, utilizing languages like C and C++ to provide robust traffic monitoring on the Microsoft Windows platform. Its continued presence in software repositories and wikis underscores its enduring role as a utility for specific network management tasks.

## Notable For
- **Open Source Security:** Distinguished by its GNU General Public License, making it free to use and modify.
- **Dual Classification:** Uniquely categorized strictly as both a user-facing "application" and a "firewall."
- **P2P Context:** Known under the alias "P2Partisan," hinting at its specific utility within peer-to-peer networking contexts.
- **Cross-Platform Discussion:** While the primary OS is Microsoft Windows, it maintains a specific presence in Linux documentation (ArchWiki).
- **Established History:** A long-standing project with an inception date of 2003 and significant documentation across multiple Wikipedia languages (including English, German, and French).

## Body
### Development and Licensing
PeerGuardian is a software product developed by Phoenix Labs, established in 2003. It is written in the C and C++ programming languages. The application is distributed under the GNU General Public License, ensuring that it remains free and open source for the public. The official website for the project is hosted at phoenixlabs.org.

### Technical Specifications
The software is classified structurally as both an application designed for end-users and a firewall system. As a firewall, its primary function is to act as a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.

The confirmed operating system platform for PeerGuardian is Microsoft Windows. However, documentation suggests a reach into other environments, evidenced by an ArchWiki article titled "PeerGuardian_Linux."

### Identity and Availability
The software is known by several aliases, including "Peer Guardian" and "P2Partisan." It holds a copyrighted status. The project is accessible via its SourceForge project page identified as "peerguardian." Visual documentation of the software is available through the Wikimedia Commons category "PeerGuardian," including interface images such as `Pg2rc1vista.png`. The software has a global footprint with Wikipedia articles available in over 10 languages, including Czech, German, English, French, Hungarian, Italian, Marathi, Polish, and Portuguese.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013