I need a firewall that allows me to easily block / unblock programs.

[Space Lynx]

Hey there, I use Malwarebyte Lifetime License, I just leave everything else alone, and I use no other antivirus besides windows defaults.

I have found it difficult to block .exe programs quickly in windows firewall, or set it to paranoid mode, I really like having control over what connects to the internet.

ZoneAlarm I have used in the past, but it pops with adverts sometimes and I really want to wash my hands clean of any ads. I am willing to pay money for a firewall only that is easy to use, any advice is welcome, thanks!

 

[Regeneration]

Windows Firewall Control

 

[Space Lynx]

Windows Firewall Control

Thanks mate I will give this a shot. I really hope it has built in functioning with right clicking. So say I right click a .exe file and can choose properties, or if you have Norton or Bitdefender it will let "scan" but niether of those companies had a block firewall shortcut... that would make my life really easy. If I could just right click and block this .exe lol

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

Comodo Firewall was good back in the day. I dont know anymore

 

[pigulici]

I use Comodo firewall free...

 

[Bill_Bright]

What you might consider doing is to make Windows Firewall easier to access more quickly. You can do that by searching on Windows Firewall via your Start Menu. Then when it appears, right click on it and select "Pin to taskbar".

 

[Jetster]

Use your router YouTube will show you how

 

[lexluthermiester]

Comodo Firewall was good back in the day. I dont know anymore

Still is. Has a bit of a learning curve, but not much of one and allows for complete control over what, how and when binaries can hop on the net.

Use your router YouTube will show you how

Not all routers are created equal, and the ones that do handle such control don't allow the same fine-grained controls a proper client-side firewall will.

 

[buzzi]

Tiny Wall could be what you are looking for. By default it blocks any process (excluded some MS services like windows update, but you can uncheck even them) and you have to add every exe you need to exception list (i.e. firefox, skype, etc).

 

[Jetster]

Still is. Has a bit of a learning curve, but not much of one and allows for complete control over what, how and when binaries can hop on the net.

Not all routers are created equal, and the ones that do handle such control don't allow the same fine-grained controls a proper client-side firewall will.

Software firewall will not protect you network

 

[Space Lynx]

I'll give TinyWall and Windows Firewall Control a shot and see which I like best, thanks mates

 

[lexluthermiester]

Software firewall will not protect you network

As he stated in the OP, he's not trying to protect his network, he wants to control programs getting on the net from within the PC. Thus the recommendations for software firewall.

 

[Space Lynx]

As he stated in the OP, he's not trying to protect his network, he wants to control programs getting on the net from within the PC. Thus the recommendations for software firewall.

Yep, I don't care what program it is, but if anyone knows of a program that simply lets me right click a desktop .exe icon and from the list it will bring up, just have a direct shortcut in that list to block it in firewall with a single click... would be fantastic. If that doesn't exist its fine, an extra 2-3 clicks isnt going to kill me lol

 

[eidairaman1]

Zone ALARM

 

[Space Lynx]

Zone ALARM

I have tried Zone Alarm, it is ok, I don't mind it, but it did not have the shortcut I am asking for, to my knowledge anyway.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Yep, I don't care what program it is, but if anyone knows of a program that simply lets me right click a desktop .exe icon and from the list it will bring up, just have a direct shortcut in that list to block it in firewall with a single click... would be fantastic. If that doesn't exist its fine, an extra 2-3 clicks isnt going to kill me lol

Remind us all of your Windows version?

 

[95Viper]

Tweaking.com - (Right Click) Allow, Block or Remove - Windows Firewall

Block any app from accessing Internet with one click in Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7

 

[Space Lynx]

Tweaking.com - (Right Click) Allow, Block or Remove - Windows Firewall

Block any app from accessing Internet with one click in Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7

you my hero senpai

Remind us all of your Windows version?

win 10 cap'n

 

[remixedcat]

why not router based it's easier and sometimes after updates, settings get cleared or mucked with

 

[lexluthermiester]

win 10 cap'n

That rules out one of the suggestions I was going to offer. Still say Comodo's Personal Firewall is the better option because it offers more fine-grained program control.

 

[Gasaraki]

Software firewall will not protect you network

He's not trying to protect his network, he's trying to block programs.

 

[Jetster]

He's not trying to protect his network, he's trying to block programs.

Router does both.

 

[woopadidoo]

member sygate firewall? i member ...

i miss it, simple UI and very feature complete and flexible for its time, unlike nowadays a dumbed down UI and at the same time a mess to navigate and lack in features and simplicity.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Router does both.

That is a common misunderstanding. Router firewalls can only manage network traffic, they can not manage program activity from inside a PC.

While some routers offer access filtering protocols based on program names, the actual network traffic is what is managed. Any program can mimic another by using the same ports & protocols, thus making the naming schemes useless. However, by way of comparison, a firewall running inside of a PC can manage network traffic on a per-executable, per-port, per-instance basis on any fine-grain level the firewall designers build in. This goes above and beyond anything a router firewall can offer.

Make no mistake, the functionality of the firewall features offered by most good routers are an invaluable tool when well utilized. Yet they can not replace a well designed firewall running locally on a PC.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Another problem with router firewalls is they often simply see all local traffic as good. So, for example, they would do nothing to protect a connected computer from infection from an inserted infected USB stick. And they may do nothing to protect other connected computers on the same network from malware distributed by the USB stick infected computer.

So I agree - use a decent hardware based router firewall to protect us from external threats, but each locally connected computer should use a decent software based firewall too. Fortunately, it does not take any special techniques or proprietary code to block a port. And the vast majority of users never need to create firewall rules so the firewall built into Windows is more than adequate for most users. If more flexibility is desired, then there are plenty alternatives and Windows Firewall will gladly step out of the way. Users just should not assume the alternatives are blocking ports better. It does not work that way. A blocked port is a blocked port.