Windows Firewall Control

[Dieselman]

I tried this before but was not too impressed with previous version. But now they are working on a learning mode and a new GUI to allow or block connections. And its FREE. Acccording to sources 4/29/2011 should bring out version 2.9.

http://binisoft.net/wfc.php

New screen shot:

http://postimage.org/image/qk2mcx9g/

This ones for you bogdan. No need for a 3rd party firewall with Windows 7. I still cannot understand why anyone would use Comodo,Online Armor,Outpost or PC Tools that is currently running Windows 7.

 

[jamescv7]

Yes on the previous version I was yet bit disappointed caused when I put in medium filtering on the laptop it blocked the wifi connection so i cannot browse when it comes in low filtering it works.

 

[Dieselman]

That is normal jamescv7. You need to make your out going rules first. Then anything there after will be blocked. Windows Firewall by default does not give you pop ups so you do not know what is being blocked. Medium means block all outgoing unless a rule is matched. You have no outgoing rules for every program then they will be blocked. So what you saw was normal and not a problem with version 2.8

 

[jamescv7]

Oh ok that was a detailed explanation there.

 

[Dieselman]

Follow this guide to make your outgoing rules. Also when you use version 2.8 it allow you to make all your out going rules by clicking on the system tray icon. This is more for an advanced user so unless you understand and know how to make outgoing rules in a firewall your better of with a 3rd party tool.

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?s=9495a61e0e085aee960fcf01db1c7535&t=239750

 

[jamescv7]

What's new in version 2.9

Before using version 2.9 please uninstall any old version you are using from Control Panel, and please do a fresh install to get all the new features. We are sorry for any inconvenience, but the new version works differently than the old versions, and is somehow incompatible, and for some features there is a need for a fresh install.
√ Learning Mode. Show user notifications for outgoing blocked connections with detailed informations about these connections, and permit the user to "Allow Always" or "Block Permanently" the programs that were blocked by Windows Firewall.
When using Learning Mode:
√ For Windows Update, DHCP Client, Network Services, and many other system related tasks to work, you must create a rule to allow "svchost.exe" to connect through Windows Firewall.
√ For network tools, like ping.exe, you must create a rule to allow "System" to connect through Windows Firewall, otherwise they won't work.
√ User can now edit the rules created by Windows Firewall Control in Management Console to Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.
√ Updated the list of rules to provide extended informations for the programs from the list.
√ Display current active network connections for the local computer.
√ At uninstallation of the program, the user has now the possibility to restore default settings of Windows Firewall, to restore the settings that the user had before installing Windows Firewall Control or to keep current settings.

Link

Main Page

 

[bogdan]

For Windows Update, DHCP Client, Network Services, and many other system related tasks to work, you must create a rule to allow "svchost.exe" to connect through Windows Firewall.

Unfortunately malware can use that process to access the Internet/network too. Outbound protection without leaks is hard to achieve using a software firewall without a HIPS module. If you do not trust all the computers in your network allowing inbound traffic to the ports used by Windows services can open a gate for worms. It is better to only allow inbound/outbound traffic from/to trusted locations but that requires some tweaking and knowledge.

 

[Gnosis]

I have to admit. I love that simple interface.

 

[MetalShaun]

I donated the 10 dollars to the developer to try out the extra features. Turns out that because I run windows on a SSD in AHCI mode I thinks it is a removable disk and the pop up window are greyed. I sent the developer an email and I am the first user of WFC that uses a SSD lol. Anyway the support was great the next day (being today) he sent me a recompiled betta version to test, which i am yet to do, but the support has been first class and its a nice little program. I really like being able to right like programs and allow the though the firewall.

 

[jamescv7]

What's new in version 2.9.5

√ Added support for editing of local ports, remote ports and protocol for existing rules created with Windows Firewall Control. Be careful when you change your ports, because wrong settings can block your programs to make outgoing connections.
√ Fixed Export Policy, that could generate an unhandled exception when a standard user has no write access to temp folder.
√ Fixed for Learning Mode not showing notifications on blocked connections when Windows is in a different language than english. Currently working languages are: english, dutch, german, french, finnish, spanish and swedish.

Link

 

[jamescv7]

What's new in version 2.9.7

√ Fixed the path recognition errors on some systems where users are not allowed to read Security Events due to limited privileges.
√ Fixed the path recognition for executable files that have no file description.
√ Added support for Learning Mode for Windows that is in traditional chinese.

Link

 

[jamescv7]

What's new in version 2.9.8

√ Added support for en-CA (English - Canada), de-AT (German - Austria), de-CH (German - Switzerland).
√ Added support for generating log files in helping to debug problems. To generate a log file, please start the program with the parameter "-debug" and follow the instructions. ( wfc.exe -debug )

Link