What firewall software are you using? (Vista x64)

Dan2kx · 4 Jul 2007 at 18:24

Hello to all,

i have vista x64 and i need some good firewall software, to stop outgoing connections and incoming easily, normally i use zonealarm security suite (but this doesnt work on vista x64) something similar and as good is what i want.

currently im using norton (and i hate it) please help me find an alternative.

Thanks guys

snowdog · 4 Jul 2007 at 18:53

Cant believe you picked norton, its worse as vista's own fw, good luck on removing symantec, you'll need it, myself also in need of a proper firewall, for a server, so needs to be a-ok, dont think the besic vista one is good nuff for it.
Anyone?

NachT · 4 Jul 2007 at 20:52

I use norton!

BOO-YA!

jbloggs · 4 Jul 2007 at 21:02

I am using Kaspersky Internet Security 6 (a security suite rather than just a firewall) which works well with Vista 64bit.

the-void · 4 Jul 2007 at 21:26

Unfortunately Outpost is not yet Vista compatible otherwise I would recommend that.

You can block outbound connections in the Vista firewall. You just have to switch that service on.

Type wf.msc in your search box to bring up the Advanced screen for windows firewall.

On the left panel click the top link. You should see an overview on the middle panel for three different profiles. Domain, Private and Public.

You will see than outbound connections that not match a rule are allowed.

To change this to blocked click Windows Firewall properties. You then have to activate outbound blocking on the required profile which would be public - although you might want to activate it on all three to be sure.

At this point no application will be able to speak to the internet.

You will need to create a WHITE list that manually allows the programs you want to access the Internet.

Click the outbound rule on the left panel. This brings up a full list of outbound blocking rules in the middle panel.

To create a new rule, click on new rule on the left. And this allows you to specify the application you want to be able to have access to the internet.

Until outpost is available on Vista, that is what I am using.

Digital Punk · 5 Jul 2007 at 10:36

the-void said:
Snippety snip....

All seems a bit long winded to me.

Think I'll wait until some decent third party firewalls are released before switching to Vista.

V1N · 5 Jul 2007 at 11:12

the-void said:
Type wf.msc in your search box to bring up the Advanced screen for windows firewall.

I never knew that, that's great, thanks!
These forums really can be useful

Rather than have to create a whitelist, is there a way to get it to block all outgoing connections, but have it ask you the first time a program tries to connect to the net, adding to a whitelist that way, so that after a few days you've hopefully got all your required apps added to the whitelist, without having to manually go in and unblock them?

V1N.

khisanth75 · 5 Jul 2007 at 11:20

Tbh Windows built in firewall is more than enough. I'm running Vista 64 and not bothered sticking a 3rd party firewall on there. windows built in one does the job, but if you want to get really indepth its probably not the best.

if you are using a router which probably has a built in firewall then you are pretty much protected anyway.

pitchfork · 5 Jul 2007 at 11:24

I'm running NOD32, Adaware and connecting via a router, safe enough for me.
Waiting for zonealarm pro to come out for vista x64 before I bother with a firewall.

Dan2kx · 5 Jul 2007 at 11:57

ive just gotten kaperspy security suite (trial) seems good but i was doing a scan and it consumed 100% of my 4gb ram!!!!! OMG!!! it does surrender resources apparently but it was using so much it took half an hour to open a new app lol.

y doesnt vista come with antivirus then, 'cos thats what i need the most (after the firewall) which is y i wanted a suite.

Nother question, what version of adaare are you using? i have a se pro r1.06 (used on XP, will that work on vista?) but there is a version 7 as well what is the difference?

khisanth75 · 5 Jul 2007 at 12:01

Microsoft were trialling an anti-virus product last year iirc, they bought an anti virus application and it was planned to be part of Vista. However I think there were some legal issues over doing this.

either way it didnt make it

Eddie182 · 5 Jul 2007 at 14:32

No software firewall at all. Just using the router's hardware firewall. Works fine and I've never had anything get through.

modo77 · 5 Jul 2007 at 14:42

Vista's firewall, and a hardware firewall in my router

Tute · 5 Jul 2007 at 14:44

khisanth75 said:
Microsoft were trialling an anti-virus product last year iirc, they bought an anti virus application and it was planned to be part of Vista. However I think there were some legal issues over doing this.

either way it didnt make it

It's now OneCare isn't it?

Personally, the Vista FW does a good enough job for me.

gareth170 · 5 Jul 2007 at 15:21

Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0 Alpha and my router firewall

Dyson · 5 Jul 2007 at 15:26

Vista F/W, behind a router. Use NOD32 too.

rudeboymcc · 7 Jul 2007 at 21:25

is there some comodo version that I can't see becuase I tried downloading it and it says it's not compatible with my vista ultimate.

Moley · 7 Jul 2007 at 21:28

Cisco Pix, cause I'm Cisco geek.

gareth170 · 8 Jul 2007 at 10:17

rudeboymcc said:
is there some comodo version that I can't see becuase I tried downloading it and it says it's not compatible with my vista ultimate.

yes

i use Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0 Alpha on vista 64bit... but i don't know when to final release will be out

skanky · 8 Jul 2007 at 10:59

the-void said:
You can block outbound connections in the Vista firewall. You just have to switch that service on.
<snip>

seems good advice, but i cant get a vista sidebar gadget called wp-corp mail (http://www.wp-corp.kujala.name/index.php?language=ENG) which checks email accounts, to work when outgoing rules are blocked, any advice on to get it to work?