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Why does the Windows firewall suck? Any particular reason or is it just because a lot of people said that years ago when it was first introduced? There's nothing wrong with the Windows firewall but if you must use a third party program look for one that's Vista compatible and hope it works with 7, but there's no guarantees.

Edited by Skyfrog
Why does the Windows firewall suck? Any particular reason or is it just because a lot of people said that years ago when it was first introduced? There's nothing wrong with the Windows firewall but if you must use a third party program look for one that's Vista compatible and hope it works with 7, but there's no guarantees.
What is this, 2003? Windows has a good firewall built in.

He's probably interpreting the inbound protection only. Windows Vista/7 firewall offers outbound as well but must be configured.

For Windows 7, The Sphynx Firewall Control Free version at Sphynx works well in conjunction with Windows Firewall, and it allows controlling outbound traffic.

The only downside is that rather than pause a connection while you set permissions, the connection is killed, necessitating a second connection attempt.

For anti-virus, Avira Free installs without issue and works well.

The only thing windows firewall doesn't have really is an "open connections" pane, where you can see your incoming and outgoing connections.... That would be a good addition. *points at microsoft* GET ON IT! hehe

The only thing windows firewall doesn't have really is an "open connections" pane, where you can see your incoming and outgoing connections.... That would be a good addition. *points at microsoft* GET ON IT! hehe

Actually, when you buy OneCare you get that outbound protection. Last I read, Microsoft is supposedly allowing their OneCare for free download next year.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/artic...3B1vMpI8tL7hGew

Actually, when you buy OneCare you get that outbound protection. Last I read, Microsoft is supposedly allowing their OneCare for free download next year.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/artic...3B1vMpI8tL7hGew

Are you talking about the new free morro or are Microsoft making OneCare free leading up to it being discontinued.

Are you talking about the new free morro or are Microsoft making OneCare free leading up to it being discontinued.

Yeah, that's what I meant! Sorry, I forgot the codename for it.

http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/mic...-486774?src=rss

I'd stick with the built-in Windows Firewall, it works well, it's integrated into the operating system, and the advanced controls in the Microsoft Management Console give you more than enough control over it.

ill have to check that advanced panel out, i don't want to play with the setting too much. how can i enable outbound protection ?

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