Company makes firewall for smart home

An Israeli startup Dojo-Labs has developed a hardware firewall that, by being connected to internet servers, learns what behavior certain devices may or may not exhibit. After connecting, the firewall monitors all network flows connected via the modem

The intent is that there is no need to configure anything for the firewall. The stone-shaped device warns users if anomalous network activity is detected. Only with red warning lights does a user have to do something himself. This will often have to do with connecting a new device within a home network and thus with the question via an app whether the traffic of the unknown device should be blocked or allowed to pass.

Dojo’s goal is not only to secure ‘standard’ connected devices, but also internet-of-things devices that are even more difficult to monitor and secure. In addition, the intention is that the device can better monitor existing devices in many households, such as smart TVs that suddenly communicate with unknown servers and online services.

The Dojo itself consists of two parts: a rectangular white part that has to be plugged into the network connection and the stone-shaped part. The latter part can also be moved, so that it is in a visible place for the user. But the device can also send a notification to a phone.

The device itself must be “safe” by design, says one of the developers on Techcrunch. That means that there are no other ports besides two necessary Ethernet ports. The user cannot update or set it up by themselves, everything goes through the auto-update mechanism and cloud platform. According to the developers, it is not even possible to get to the operating system by opening the box. The communication runs from the device and not the other way around. It would not be possible to gain access with a push request.

The system operates on a subscription basis and will initially be sold in the United States starting March 2016 for $99. After that, the subscription costs start at $7.99 per month.