Need a Firewall for Vista

Darth Llama · nForce Aware

Hey Guys,

Been a while, but I can't find an answer anywhere and this is driving me CRAZY!!

I currently run WinXP Pro, I'm going to be going to Vista 64 Ultimate pretty soon for a couple reasons. I currently use a software firewall program called Tiny Personal Firewall. I use a VERY old version of it though because I can't find any firewall that does what this version does. The version I run does not make any rules for me at all, none. You install it, and it pops up anytime any program or any traffic attempts to come in or out. I can then create a rule to always allow it, or always deny it. This program though, is not compatible with Vista and that's a huge problem, here is why.

I can't find any other firewall that does this. I tried the new Tiny Firewall, I tried Webroot, and a couple others and they all try to do it all for me, and it NEVER does what I want. Webroot for example, does absolutely nothing at all. Every time an application tries to connect, it automatically decides that application is fine, creates a rule to allow and sets it that way. It's about as effective as not having anything at all.

What I need is a firewall that I have TOTAL control over, that works for Windows Vista. Freeware or not, I don't care, I just need it to work. I really didn't think it would be this hard to find one, but I'm ripping my hair out here. Anyone have any suggestions? What do you guys use for a Vista Firewall? I don't want anything to connect in or out unless I say it's ok.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

daglesj · nForced²

Do you know I had a similar worry when I went Vista64.

However, I just decided to let the Vista FW take the strain and you know what?

Its done the job fine. Nothing nasty has happend to me.

Does what I want. I guess if I was more paranoid I'd plug in my Yoggie but thats overkill really.

Darth Llama · nForce Aware

After some digging around in the settings, I was able to make Webroot do what I wanted. You have to look in order to get it, but I finally found the setting for it to ask me every time.

It works good enough, I'll probably go with it unless I find something better. it's just odd how all the firewall programs that are out now are so passive by default. Most of them just decide for you rather or not the application should be allowed to connect, that's just not my thing. I guess I'm just not very trusting.

I'll give the Vista firewall a try once I install it, thanks for the tip.

daglesj · nForced²

I know exactly where you are coming from. I always wanted 'to know what was goin' on' but I havent noticed any ill effects from just using the MS one.

I ran spybot S&D and it found nothing but a few tracking cookies after 8 months of use. I use AVG 7.5 still for AV.

Darth Llama · nForce Aware

daglesj · nForced²

If you dont like the Link Scanner in 8 you can just uninstall it and re-install the latest version. It has that rare thing these days of a....yes.....a custom install option.

You can knock out the link scanner. It is a bad thing that scanner.

Darth Llama · nForce Aware

Seawolf · Ultra nForced

Linkscanner was a much bigger pain in the ass immediately after launch than it is now. Of course, I use Opera so I wouldn't notice it Laughing

You can make Vistas firewall two way if you need to, also.

Darth Llama · nForce Aware

I grabbed the new AVG installer and sure enough, you now have the option to not install the link scanner. The installer I was using didn't have the option. I guess enough people found it to be a pain that they put in the option to not install it. Good stuff. Very Happy

On the topic though, after digging into the Options, Webroot Firewall is a pretty good program, and it's also free. If anyone needs a good software firewall to block programs from updating without your consent, block things from trying to self register, etc, it's a pretty good option.

It's default settings kinda suck, it just allows everything, but it was fixable with a couple clicks. I'll probably stick with Webroot, I got it to do what my old firewall did, but it's a newer version that will run on Vista.

impar · **PC Gamer** Moderator

Greetings!

Late, I know...

For firewall, check Comodo:
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/download_firewall.html

For the LinkScanner, disable its Firefox add-on.