Best Secure Web Gateways for VMware ESXi

CacheGuard-OS is an open-source Linux-based UTM gateway appliance OS that has been in active development since 2002. It is designed to run on commodity x86 hardware and act as the default route between an internal network and the internet, replacing the ISP-provided router as the traffic checkpoint. The stack integrates: Squid (web cache and proxy), ClamAV (web antivirus), ModSecurity (WAF), StrongSwan (IPsec/IKEv2 VPN), IPRoute2 (QoS and WAN load balancing), NetFilter (stateful firewall), SSL inspection, and URL filtering. All components are configured through a web-based admin interface rather than directly, making the platform accessible to operators without deep Linux expertise while remaining auditable by those who want to inspect the underlying configuration. The OS has been open-source since its first release — source ships on every installed appliance. It was recently published publicly on GitHub to make the codebase easier to browse and audit. Target deployments are small to medium networks — SMBs, schools, and branch offices — where a commercial UTM appliance is overkill on budget but the threat surface is the same. Runs on bare metal or common hypervisors (VMware, VirtualBox, KVM, Hyper-V). No vendor lock-in, no subscription, no licence cost. GitHub: cacheguard/CacheGuard-OS

Sangfor Athena SWG is a comprehensive secure web gateway solution designed to safeguard organizations from web-based threats and manage user internet access behavior in today’s cloud-centric and hybrid work environments. With increasing use of encrypted traffic, proxy avoidance, and third-party VPNs, Athena SWG uncovers and controls user activities that traditional security tools often miss. The platform features gateway and client decryption, intelligent traffic management, and precise application control to enforce internet usage policies effectively. It collaborates with Sangfor Athena EPP to detect and block proxy avoidance applications, providing robust perimeter protection. Athena SWG centralizes network-wide management, allowing IT teams to oversee bandwidth usage and optimize resources to maximize business efficiency. The solution supports secure onboarding of devices and integrates with third-party systems via ICAP for enhanced performance. Extensive reporting and analytics help administrators monitor user behavior and enforce compliance. Widely adopted by enterprises and government agencies, Athena SWG enhances secure internet access and productivity.