Firewall for Vista

[sneaky1]

What is a good firewall program for Vista business 64 bit?

 

[Tegeril]

Windows Firewall.

 

[sneaky1]

Thanks for the reply, but I'm looking for 3rd party software.

 

[43st]

I don't see any reason to use anything else. The advanced features are accessible under admin tools in the control panel I believe.

Do you need a specific feature that the advanced Windows Firewall doesn't have?

 

[sneaky1]

I will have to check the advanced features out. In XP I liked being able to control when a program could call out with Zone Alarm.

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: Tegeril
Windows Firewall.

:thumbsup:

 

[raz3000]

The biggest hole in Windows has always been Internet Explorer. In Vista MS finally addressed it by using "Protected Mode" and separating the Windows shell and IE. That's why Windows Firewall should suffice for most common internet needs.

 

[Smilin]

It doesn't just suffice... It's a really solid firewall. I would use it even if offered 3rd party for free.

 

[Rommels]

The vista firewall has gotten on my last nerve. The one thing I absolutely hate about it is it never ask if I want to allow an outbound only an inbound. Who thought this was a good idea?

So after it pops up and I say sure you can have inbound access, I have to open up the advanced and create a new outbound rule for that program manually. Talk about a major pain in my rear. Am I missing something here?

 

[Schadenfroh]

I dont think that there are any firewalls other than the windows firewall for Vista x64 yet

But, if anyone using the x32 version of vista clicked this thread, checkout the consolidated security thread in my sig (specifically the vista security applications appendix for vista x32 compatible firewalls)

 

[Rommels]

I can't wait for a free firewall for vista x32, I'm not about to dish out money to Micro$oft for the firewall they should have included in the first place. I might use it for the free 90 days though, hopefully a free alternative will be around by then.

 

[zig3695]

Smoothwall the best firewall's are not windows based.

 

[Czar]

Originally posted by: zig3695
Smoothwall the best firewall's are not windows based.

Tell me.. .what defines a good firewall vs a bad firewall?

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: Rommels
The vista firewall has gotten on my last nerve. The one thing I absolutely hate about it is it never ask if I want to allow an outbound only an inbound. Who thought this was a good idea?

So after it pops up and I say sure you can have inbound access, I have to open up the advanced and create a new outbound rule for that program manually. Talk about a major pain in my rear. Am I missing something here?

Yeah, you're missing something. Not quite sure what.

Default settings (unless you've fvcked with them) are to deny all inbound and prompt outbound...unless a rule applies in which case the rule will be used.

When you are prompted access is allowed on the port that the program requested...outbound only. If the program is listening you'll either have to add that program to have *inbound* access or allow it's desired port inbound. Note that you can't use the a program in an inbound rule if the program doesn't listen on a specific port with it's process. An example would be something leveraging RPC. The app itself isn't bound but the OS is. In this case you would have to enable the port.

 

[kobe8]

Originally posted by: Smilin
Default settings (unless you've fvcked with them) are to deny all inbound and prompt outbound...unless a rule applies in which case the rule will be used.

I don't think this is right. I'm pretty sure the default is incoming is blocked and outgoing is allowed. The popup notifications are for incoming connections.

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: kobe8

Originally posted by: Smilin
Default settings (unless you've fvcked with them) are to deny all inbound and prompt outbound...unless a rule applies in which case the rule will be used.

I don't think this is right. I'm pretty sure the default is incoming is blocked and outgoing is allowed. The popup notifications are for incoming connections.

We're both wrong (kinda).

Default incoming is blocked, default outgoing is allowed. Prompt when a listener is blocked.

See admin tools | windows firewall with advanced security. Select properties on the firewall itself (just above inbound/outbound rules on the left).

 

[Rommels]

And I am still right, it doesn't prompt for outbound.

 

[tommo123]

same reason why i am looking for a 3rd party firewall for vista x32. tried mmc etc etc but it was way too annoying. wish kerio worked in vista

 

[BladeVenom]

Originally posted by: raz3000
The biggest hole in Windows has always been Internet Explorer. In Vista MS finally addressed it by using "Protected Mode" and separating the Windows shell and IE. That's why Windows Firewall should suffice for most common internet needs.

Can IE be uninstalled, or not installed to begin with?