Software firewall?

deadite_9

deadite_9

time for go to bed
Anybody here (besides me) still run one?

I've been using Outpost (the Pro version) for ages now, but it looks like I'm due to find a replacement now that they've gone and sold the company. :cry:

I also use the pro version of Avast, so I'm not looking for an all-in-one suite. Looks like there isn't much in the way of competition out there for standalone firewalls these days... seems like it's mostly either Comodo or Zone Alarm. Haven't used ZA in forever, and I've never used Comodo on my personal machine, so I'm looking for opinions/other recommendations if anyone has them.

It's pretty much a belt-and-suspenders thing since I'm behind a router, but I like to set up rules and see what's actually connecting to the net on my end (otherwise I'd probably just use the built-in Windows firewall).

Thanks!
 
Same here I've been using outpost.
I took up their 2years Kaspersky offer. You can still use the firewall if you want. They will still update it til the end of the this year.:bleh:

You should just install Comodo and try it. It seems every major Anti-virus software has their own firewall suite. Are they any good?
 
Nope, using the build-in Windows firewall plus my router's firewall.
 
0091/2 said:
Same here I've been using outpost.
I took up their 2years Kaspersky offer. You can still use the firewall if you want. They will still update it til the end of the this year.:bleh:

You should just install Comodo and try it. It seems every major Anti-virus software has their own firewall suite. Are they any good?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I passed on the Kaspersky offer. I've had a lifetime license for Outpost for several years now, but felt that the switch to KIS was kinda rushed (especially when we can continue to use Outpost through the end of the year, and still receive updates). Didn't like that I had to accept the offer by the end of January, and then install and activate KIS by the 17th of this month... so I just decided to keep my Outpost license and find my own replacement.

Currently looking at GlassWire... seems like it has some really cool monitoring functions. I'll probably give both it and Comodo a try in the next few weeks.
 
Munkus said:
Nope, using the build-in Windows firewall plus my router's firewall.
Click to expand...

same here, because, let's be honest: if some (pro) asshat really wants my data, no commercial firewall will keep him from doing so. That's also why i don't keep anything crucial on my pc. If you use your brain and avoid shady places (on the net) you should be fine most of the time.

But that's, as usual, just my very personal view on that matter.
 
http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/index.html

Windows Firewall Control

disregard the fact that url still states vista (lol), it works just fine on anything above xp (vista\7\8\10), kind of like the old school "blackice" except that it is to my understanding releys heavily on window's built in firewall and just gives it more capabilities and better UI.

Worth a try.
 
deadite_9 said:
Yeah, I passed on the Kaspersky offer. I've had a lifetime license for Outpost for several years now, but felt that the switch to KIS was kinda rushed (especially when we can continue to use Outpost through the end of the year, and still receive updates). Didn't like that I had to accept the offer by the end of January, and then install and activate KIS by the 17th of this month... so I just decided to keep my Outpost license and find my own replacement.

Currently looking at GlassWire... seems like it has some really cool monitoring functions. I'll probably give both it and Comodo a try in the next few weeks.
Click to expand...

There's sale with Glasswire pro. $29
https://shop.hothardware.com/sales/...um=referral&utm_campaign=glasswire-pro-for-pc
 
deadite_9 said:
Oh, wow. Thanks for the heads-up on that. Haven't had a chance to try it yet, but $29 might just be worth the gamble.

Also, I tried out Comodo on a spare PC yesterday. Not really sure why, but I took an immediate dislike to it. So I guess it's off the short list now.
Click to expand...

I gamble on it too. Fantastic UI! The firewall is basic as it uses Windows firewall but it gets the job done. Customer service seems positive judging from their own forum's user interaction. They're pretty to fix software bugs. The firewall lack application rules like outpost but the software is a work progress. I expect them to add more advance firewall settings in future like individual connection blocking. Right now it can't block individual application connections. They kinda hint something like that is coming.

I'm liking the software it really easy to use. The price is right for $30. The key is lifetime and it can be activated on 3 PCs.
I hope it doesn't get bought out.:mad: :bleh:
 
0091/2 said:
I gamble on it too. Fantastic UI! The firewall is basic as it uses Windows firewall but it gets the job done. Customer service seems positive judging from their own forum's user interaction. They're pretty to fix software bugs. The firewall lack application rules like outpost but the software is a work progress. I expect them to add more advance firewall settings in future like individual connection blocking. Right now it can't block individual application connections. They kinda hint something like that is coming.

I'm liking the software it really easy to use. The price is right for $30. The key is lifetime and it can be activated on 3 PCs.
I hope it doesn't get bought out.:mad: :bleh:
Click to expand...

I thought I'd actually missed the deal because when I clicked the link yesterday, it said it was ending in 8 hours... and I got sidetracked when I got home last night and forgot all about it. But I checked again just now, and it says it's actually ending in 2 days. Weird, but whatever... as long as the license activates, it's all good.

Sucks that it currently lacks application rules, since that's what I really want in this sort of thing, but I guess I'll take what I can get for now.

It's actually starting to seem like Comodo is really the only game in town if you want a third-party standalone firewall these days. The funny thing is that it looks like it's just their full security suite with the other features disabled-- so I guess it's technically not even a standalone firewall in the truest sense. It did kinda rub me the wrong way when I tried it, but I'll admit I didn't really take the time to configure it to my liking before I uninstalled it. Apparently ZoneAlarm is only designed to be used with Windows Defender, so it's permanently off the list now.

It really does look like Outpost was the last of a dying breed. It will be sorely missed, that's for sure. :(*
 
About the application rules... You can actually add your own rules but you have to do it using windows firewall. Glasswire doesn't come with it own firewall. Glasswire is more network monitor than firewall. It extends Windows firewall function. Windows firewall is actually pretty good if have to time to learn what it can do. At first glance it looks so cluster and complicated. The rules are not group by application. You have to scroll through a sea of text.

Thankfully, there are products that helps simplified management of its functions. Window Firewall Control is one them. Like Glasswire it relies on and interfaces with Windows firewall.
http://www.binisoft.org/wfc.php
It's shareware like glasswire. It cost $10 to unlock the extra function. The paid function is notification. Like Glasswire pro it asks to connect but it you more details and lets you edit the rules. You don't need to paid for the extra to find it useful.

Outpost will be missed. No more paid once to own it.:( :bleh:
 
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0091/2 said:
Thankfully, there are products that helps simplified management of its functions. Window Firewall Control is one them. Like Glasswire it relies on and interfaces with Windows firewall.
http://www.binisoft.org/wfc.php
It's shareware like glasswire. It cost $10 to unlock the extra function. The paid function is notification. Like Glasswire pro it asks to connect but it you more details and lets you edit the rules. You don't need to paid for the extra to find it useful.

Outpost will be missed. No more paid once to own it.:( :bleh:
Click to expand...

I've actually been using this one on my work PC. I started rooting around in the options and decided to reset everything and start over (Windows Firewall has been running since the machine was set up). Needless to say, I broke nearly everything when I did that.

But that was technically a good sign, since it means it actually does a good job of locking the computer down (I've found that Windows Firewall errs on the side of compatibility by default, and will almost never alert you to anything). So I was pleased. :yes: And right-clicking the .exe (or a shortcut to it) to allow a program access through the firewall is actually pretty slick.

Current plan is to activate WFC and buy the discounted GlassWire license, too, as a backup option.

Thanks again for the heads-up on that discount, BTW.
 
you could always just install the firewall part of outpost and not any of the other options.
It'll still work.
 
mrHappy said:
you could always just install the firewall part of outpost and not any of the other options.
It'll still work.
Click to expand...

Outpost Firewall Pro is what I currently have installed. The firewall was always available as a separate install, without the rest of the security suite. In fact, I have lifetime licenses for both products, but only used the firewall on my main PC.

Both of them will continue to work through the end of the year, and they've promised to keep them updated as necessary until they turn the lights off. I don't think they intend to let either one stay in use after the cutoff date, though. I'd imagine that any outstanding licenses will just stop working come next January. The company/software was acquired, so it's not being abandoned.

I imagine that it's ultimately being absorbed/reworked into something else.
 
The firewall is hardly qualified to function as more than a bandage for security, even quadrupling the features is would barely function properly for an average firewall. However commenting couldn't hurt and would be easy enough to implement.
 
Comodo is tops for security, but I stopped running it over a year ago due to conflicting with some other software. I also don't know if they have a Win10 version.

Do you NEED a firewall? Generally, no for home users. And, generally, the Win10 firewall can be configured pretty well if you want to dive into advanced functions.

If you really need a firewall, consider a hardware firewall or set up an old computer to run one of the firewall OS available (requires 2 NICs).
 
vitocorleone said:
Comodo is tops for security, but I stopped running it over a year ago due to conflicting with some other software. I also don't know if they have a Win10 version.

Do you NEED a firewall? Generally, no for home users. And, generally, the Win10 firewall can be configured pretty well if you want to dive into advanced functions.

If you really need a firewall, consider a hardware firewall or set up an old computer to run one of the firewall OS available (requires 2 NICs).
Click to expand...

Nah, I'm sure I don't need one. I'm behind a router anyway. I just like knowing I can limit something from phoning home if I want, and I like being alerted when something needs access for the first time. Plus it's an extra layer between myself and the internet should the AV ever fail.

I've resigned myself to just using the built-in firewall and using Windows Firewall Control for the UI/rules creation. It works very well from what I've seen.
 
deadite_9 said:
Outpost Firewall Pro is what I currently have installed. The firewall was always available as a separate install, without the rest of the security suite. In fact, I have lifetime licenses for both products, but only used the firewall on my main PC.

Both of them will continue to work through the end of the year, and they've promised to keep them updated as necessary until they turn the lights off. I don't think they intend to let either one stay in use after the cutoff date, though. I'd imagine that any outstanding licenses will just stop working come next January. The company/software was acquired, so it's not being abandoned.

I imagine that it's ultimately being absorbed/reworked into something else.
Click to expand...

The firewall component will still work after agnitum stops updating, so that is still usuable after 2016.
I'm using it myself and intend to keep using it.

They were bought by yandex to be used in their yandex browser.
 
mrHappy said:
The firewall component will still work after agnitum stops updating, so that is still usuable after 2016.
I'm using it myself and intend to keep using it.

They were bought by yandex to be used in their yandex browser.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I knew they were bought by Yandex. I just figured that activation shenanigans would come into play after the cutoff date.

But I've since done a little more research, and it appears that you can actually activate Outpost offline (I've always just assumed you had to connect in order to activate the license). I guess that will be an option if you need to reinstall after 2017 rolls around, and the activation servers are (presumably) taken down.

I've been scouring through the Outpost forums trying to find out exactly what will happen come next January, but I don't think Agnitum has made any statement on the matter other than the fact that updates will continue through the end of this year. Common wisdom among the senior members on their forum seems to be that the lifetime licenses will continue as such... actual lifetime licenses to use the product, just without any updates.

I'm still planning to move on, though. It's been real, and it's been fun, but Outpost's time is quickly ticking away, and unsupported software is still unsupported software at the end of the day. :(
 
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