Firewall recommendation

[The Halk]

I thought I'd make a new thread, rather than carry another thread further off topic.

I'm now on Vista 64, I like ZoneAlarm, however they don't do a 64 bit free firewall.

The reason for the firewall is to control programs and prevent them accessing the net. It's to alert me to spyware, or adware, to make sure I don't have any little "useful" scrapeware installed, or things checking for automatic updates etc.

So the firewall has to be...

Preferably free - I'll pay if I have to, in order to get the right thing. I'd rather not.
Allow me to control access to the net for programs in a similar way to ZoneAlarm
Not be a bloated internet security piece of crap.
Work properly on 64 bit Vista.

I appreciate any advice!

 

[The Halk]

Sorry if I wasn't clear. It's a firewall I want. Having spent a great deal of time (too stubborn to admit defeat) trying to remove Spyware from someone elses PC I don't trust any anti virus/anti spyware software.

I'd like a firewall to place between my PC and the internet so that only authorised programs can connect to the net. Also like I said it's for scrapeware or indeed anything at all that I don't think has business connecting to the net.

If there's something that can do this, and isn't called a Firewall then I'll take that instead