Maxhedroom Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Currently I'm using NIS 2011 and I know I can manually configure the fw to block specific .exes from accessing the net. I find this method a hassle and by the time I block an app it has already had time to phone home. Ideally I'd like a simple app that asks permission before granting an app access. I mean ALL apps...as in no white list of apps that it deems 'safe' to axx the net. I have found such a firewall in BWMeter...it asks before allowing ANYTHING to connect. Sure at first it's a bit annoying cuz I have to allow various windows processes access, but after that it's smooth sailing. The only draw back is its bandwidth tracking uses up to 40 percent of the CPU when I'm d/ling something...probably cuz my dl speeds can easily exceed 3,000kbps+ (30Mbit connection). If I want to use Norton's firewall to stop an app from phoning home, I first have to block all net access before I install the app. Then after installation, to block the app I have to manually navigate to the exe(s) I want blocked with Norton and in most cases the program folder will have several exes and you never know for sure which one will be the one to phone home...so I end up having to go thru the process of adding every exe in the damn folder to the block list to make sure nothing gets thru. Only after all this tedious crap can I then unblock the net and use the newly installed app without fear of it phoning home.I've checked out a few firewalls and most automatically allow any app on its trusted list to connect. The thing is that I want to be the one who decides what gets axx not the fw app. If I can find a firewall that fits the bill, I'll be glad to switch to the plain Norton AV if the NIS firewall doesn't tolerate a third party FW. So....simply put, I need a firewall that does NOT have a white list of apps that it will automatically allow access. Sorry if I sound a bit harsh but I'm really annoyed with firewalls that have their own 'allow' list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kojootti Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Wait til they approve my release of: Fastlink2.ID.Firewall.v3.5.0.0-Kojootti.rar (2.19 MB)check here for more information about it,meanwhile: HomepageExtremely light-weight and low on resources.edit:Check this also at the Coder's Corner.. Windows Firewall Controluses Windows 7's built-in Firewall,which is actually pretty good,but one has to work a lot on it to get things working,but that app is a nice front-end for it,to make things so much easier.edit2: AND... Atleast Online Armor Firewall Free (+paid) has an option not to scan for "safe programs" accessing automatically inet,you can skipthat and make it ask you EVERYTIME when some app wants to connect to inet,and then you can decide allow once/trust+allow always/block.Also,if you add the app on trusted list,and if the file has been tampered with the next time it tries to connect to inet,Online Armor will notify you about it.In my personal opinion,Online Armor is the best software firewall out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlienForce1 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Currently I'm using NIS 2011 and I know I can manually configure the fw to block specific .exes from accessing the net. I find this method a hassle and by the time I block an app it has already had time to phone home. Ideally I'd like a simple app that asks permission before granting an app access. I mean ALL apps...as in no white list of apps that it deems 'safe' to axx the net. I have found such a firewall in BWMeter...it asks before allowing ANYTHING to connect. Sure at first it's a bit annoying cuz I have to allow various windows processes access, but after that it's smooth sailing. The only draw back is its bandwidth tracking uses up to 40 percent of the CPU when I'm d/ling something...probably cuz my dl speeds can easily exceed 3,000kbps+ (30Mbit connection). If I want to use Norton's firewall to stop an app from phoning home, I first have to block all net access before I install the app. Then after installation, to block the app I have to manually navigate to the exe(s) I want blocked with Norton and in most cases the program folder will have several exes and you never know for sure which one will be the one to phone home...so I end up having to go thru the process of adding every exe in the damn folder to the block list to make sure nothing gets thru. Only after all this tedious crap can I then unblock the net and use the newly installed app without fear of it phoning home.I've checked out a few firewalls and most automatically allow any app on its trusted list to connect. The thing is that I want to be the one who decides what gets axx not the fw app. If I can find a firewall that fits the bill, I'll be glad to switch to the plain Norton AV if the NIS firewall doesn't tolerate a third party FW. So....simply put, I need a firewall that does NOT have a white list of apps that it will automatically allow access. Sorry if I sound a bit harsh but I'm really annoyed with firewalls that have their own 'allow' list.A possible sollution can be COMODO Firewall with D+ and the settings in your case would be like this :- Configuration to ``Proactive Security``- Defence+ to ``Paranoid Mode`` , unclick ``Trust the applications digitaly signed ...`` and click ``Block all unknown requests if the application is closed``- Firewall Security Level to ``Custom Policy`` Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spudboy Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Just to add to the list of options, all versions of ZoneAlarm also offer the ability to not automatically set up your programs. At setup just choose do not set up my programs, and once installed go to program control/main/advanced and untick allow certified programs to run automatically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxhedroom Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 Thanx for all the replies fellas! Seems my first step is to switch from NIS to just NAV so I don't have compatibility issues. I would just disable the fw in NIS but I'm not too keen on the big red flag it throws up...I could just ignore the red 'X' that shows up in the system tray but then it would mask a 'real' issue should one arise.Kojootti...thanx for the 411...I may give Online Armor a try while waiting for your Fastlink2 release. Actually I'd be wise to give all the suggestions a try and see which one suits me best. Thx again for all the sugestions! B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shajt Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I'm using NIS firewall and you can set it up to ask you every time when something wants out , by default it's set to auto.Go to Network->Smart Firewall->Advanced Settings->Automatic program Control (this turn OFF)btw NIS firewall is one of the best I've seen and I'm a firewall freak :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxhedroom Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 Holy sh*t!! How in the hell did I miss that??? :frusty: :doh: For some reason I had it in my head that I had to deal with the Advanced Event Monitoring if I disabled auto program control. Gawd I feel like a total idiot! :lmao: Luckily I seen your post before I started trying the other suggestions...lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spudboy Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 One question. Why rely on Norton for an AV? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxhedroom Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 I guess because I prefer Norton. As the saying goes...To each, his own. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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