libwrap - what is that?

[turbocharged123]

I have come across libwrap many times but never got around it and understood what it does? Please shed some light on this topic.

[TkTech]

So, awhile ago some guys made google, a search thingy everyone keeps talking about. Open it up, type in 'libwrap' and press "Go!." First result.

[turbocharged123]

I know it's a TCP Wrapper.. but wth does that mean? I tried reading TCP Wrapper - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia about TCP Wrappers but I'm not a technical person, and I did not understand a thing :/

[WingedPanther]

Basically, it's a library to assist with network filtering. It is used by several other programs.

[turbocharged123]

Network filtering as in Firewall? Or filters the data addressed to you from that addressed to other computers?

[WingedPanther]

Linux's "firewall" software isn't called a firewall. It has the same effect, however.

[turbocharged123]

So if I understood you correctly it's not called firewall.. but libwrap?

[WingedPanther]

No. libwrap is a helper library. It facilitates certain types of filtering.

[turbocharged123]

and when you say helper library is that like a dll? So it can be used by other applications?

[WingedPanther]

It looks like it, yes.