How to start ============ The nftables Debian package gives you access to the 'nft' utility. There is another component, in the kernel, which is the nf_tables subsystem. From the nft utility you control which rules are loaded into the kernel. The Debian package comes with some example ruleset you may use as a starting point. Check them at /usr/share/doc/nftables/examples/ Extensive online documentation is available at: https://wiki.nftables.org The default rules file in debian is /etc/nftables.conf Some basic commands =================== Try these basic commands to know more about nftables on your machine: user@debian:~$ sudo nft list ruleset user@debian:~$ sudo nft flush ruleset user@debian:~$ sudo nft add table inet filter user@debian:~$ sudo nft add chain inet filter input { type filter hook input priority 0 \; policy drop } user@debian:~$ sudo nft add rule inet filter input ct state established counter accept user@debian:~$ sudo nft list ruleset System service (auto-load at boot) ================================== This package includes a pre-configured systemd service file which you can optionally enable to auto-load your firewall at boot time. user@debian:~$ sudo systemctl enable nftables.service Migrating from iptables ======================= Please read the docs at: https://wiki.nftables.org/wiki-nftables/index.php/Moving_from_iptables_to_nftables