I need a Firewall for Vista.. BADLY!

[Darth Llama]

Hey Guys,

I need some help here, I'm going nuts trying to figure this crap out.

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.

 

[Sandan]

I might go with a hardware firewall.

Not sure which to recommend as the one I use isn't appropriate but I think there are a number of consumer h/w firewalls

 

[Darth Llama]

I might go with a hardware firewall.

Not sure which to recommend as the one I use isn't appropriate but I think there are a number of consumer h/w firewalls

I have one of those. I have the NAT firewall in my router enabled, that's all fine. What I want is control over every application I install. Some games for example, collect system information and report it to the developer when you run the game. Does it hurt anything? No, but I don't like anything communicating with anyone without my consent.

I have been messing with Webroot, and I finally got it to do what I want. Buried deep inside a menu, there is an option to ask me on every connection, it seems to be working so far, but I would still love to hear what others use.

 

[Sandan]

I was thinking of something a little more significant that a NAT.

Mine is way overkill for most homes, I have a Sonicwall TZ 170 but then I use it for my business.

You ought to be able to find a hardware option that will do what you describe, I know mine can and I think you can get that in lower end products as well. Just not sure which.

 

[Darth Llama]

I was thinking of something a little more significant that a NAT.

Mine is way overkill for most homes, I have a Sonicwall TZ 170 but then I use it for my business.

You ought to be able to find a hardware option that will do what you describe, I know mine can and I think you can get that in lower end products as well. Just not sure which.

I might look at those, thanks. I don't keep any financial information on my PC, I'm not really in need of THAT much security. I just use the software firewall for control over applications since a lot of programs send information silently without the users knowledge. If I kept bank records or anything like that on my PC I would go with something stronger for sure.

 

[BillsCarnage]

you might look at Comodo's firewall - www.comodo.com. Though i'm not sure about Vista64 compatability.

A lot of the firewalls have a "learning" capability meaning they will learn the programs you use so you don't get those pop-up windows all the time, but they can be shut off as well.

Most of them can be configured however you want as well.

 

[Sandan]

Yah, mine is commercial grade. It does things like be a VPN host as well

 

[Chaz]

AVG 8. http://www.grisoft.com/

I found this also but I have not tried it.
http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/index.html

 

[Darth Llama]

After some working, I found that Webroot does what I need and offers Vista Compatibility as well. It also has that feature to learn from what you do, but I disabled that since I don't like the software making the choice without me. Turns out that when set properly, Webroot works pretty good.

If anyone wants to check it out, it's free and can be found here.

Still getting used to it, but so far so good. Comodo looks good too, I might give that a shot just to check it out. Thanks for the tips guys.

 

[O]

I've been very happy with Webroot.