Do you recommend Windows Firewall?

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  1. Posts : 3,427
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #11

    My two cents are that if you are behind a hardware firewall, there is really no need for a 3rd party software firewall. As pparks said, I am also in the camp of not caring about outbound, as I only use trusted software, stuff that I know what it's doing.

    The Windows firewall is more than adequate for a machine behind a decent (and well configured) router. If you are really concerned about blocking all but trusted (by which I mean, stuff you personally allow) outbound connections, well Windows Firewall does that as well, with this Windows7FirewallControl: Sphinx Software

    Having said that, if you aren't behind a router, then yes, I would recommend a 3rd party firewall, simply because Windows FIrewall leaves a couple of ports (443 off the top of my head, but there is another) always open because of Windows update and such.

    Not to mention Windows Firewall is the only software firewall I know of that doesn't mess with Homegroups and Workgroups straight out of the box.
    Last edited by severedsolo; 12 Oct 2011 at 10:14. Reason: Windows firewall isn't 3rd party... stupid typo
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  2. Posts : 4,517
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #12

    If you are using legit, trusted software theres really no reason to worry about things .. " Calling Home"

    I too am in the camp of not worrying about outbound.

    Instead, I focus more on prevention, and monitoring whats coming IN.



    The only reason to use a 3rd party, is if perhaps its included with a suite.
    For example, Norton Internet Security likes to monitor everything and wants its own firewall in place.


    But Windows Firewall is sufficient.
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  3. Posts : 640
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit Build 7600
    Thread Starter
       #13

    So... after reading this, this means that I basically need to enable both firewalls, isn't it?... Well... setting ESET firewall to enable file and printer sharing while using any connection profile instead of restrictive mode will suffice... that's what I used before...

    If I enable outbound protection, is Windows Firewall worth to use or I still need a 3rd party firewall? If answer is no, then there is no remedy but enable both ESET and Windows... I just wonder why Microsoft didn't think of this configuration problems in network profiles when disabling the Firewall...

    Thanks for the advices guys

    See ya!!
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  4. JMH
    Posts : 7,952
    Win 7 Ultimate 64-bit. SP1.
       #14

    Hello FerchogtX

    My recommendation would be to use the inbuilt Windows Firewall.
    The firewall architecture was changed with Windows 7.
    It is used on all computers here.

    FYI Refer below...

    Windows Firewall

    Windows Firewall is a built-in, host-based, stateful firewall that is included in Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP with Service Pack 2 and later, and Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 and later. Windows Firewall drops incoming traffic that does not correspond to either traffic sent in response to a request of the computer (solicited traffic) or unsolicited traffic that has been specified as allowed (excepted traffic). Windows Firewall helps provide protection from malicious users and programs that rely on unsolicited incoming traffic to attack computers. In Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, Windows Firewall can also drop outgoing traffic and is configured using the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security snap-in, which integrates rules for both firewall behavior and traffic protection with Internet Protocol security (IPsec).
    Windows Firewall
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  5. Posts : 640
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit Build 7600
    Thread Starter
       #15

    Well... that help me more with this Firewall topic... your answer goes pretty well considering that researching more about ESET firewall, it seem that tat firewall indeed does the same as windows firewall, so you need to configure it to interactive mode so you actually block incoming or outgong data... basically does the same, so I guess I'll stick with your advice and severedsolo's by using the firewall configurator tool, I suppose thet tool actualy gives you warnings about incoming attacks, if so, it will be a great help for me

    Besides this, I guess I will need to reinstall ESET, but this time the AV only, because the ESET firewall now gives me BSODs... what a mess...

    Thanks for your advices, as soon as I solve my instalation issues, I'll mark this as solved.

    See ya!!!
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,777
    MS Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit (Family Pack Lic.) Upgrade
       #16

    I have had the same problems with xp and vista with eset in the past - they must not take customer's problems into account when they upgrade their patches?! I't almost not worth fooling, with just get a dif a/v suite.

    but i realize thats not your real question...

    As to the windows firewall, I have seen few tht can be "proven" much better esp in win 7's . And Outbound protection might seem like everyone else issue, but when you get a nasty infection, even due to no fault of your own, as I am going thru right now with a rootkit in win 7 x64 although the computer never opened a browser since its install activation. now it virtually streams keystrokes/screencaps and whatever it wants to multiple IP's, so IMHO (as of 4-5 days ago at least) OUTward firewall protection is a good idea. may not have helped me, but yoou can see my angle.

    just my opinion, take it or leave it.

    Mike
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 640
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit Build 7600
    Thread Starter
       #17

    rubyrubyroo said:
    I have had the same problems with xp and vista with eset in the past - they must not take customer's problems into account when they upgrade their patches?!...
    It seems they don't even bother, specially with the firewall integration, that shoud be fully compliant with windows 7's... I mean, if it uses almost the same idea for networking places, why not integrating that feature with inbuilt system so you don't have problems with services and configurations around that?...

    As I posted, I had to reinstall the ESET suite, it seems that firewall module went corrupt -somehow-, but now it's working... this time I installed version 5 (my old licence worked pretty well :P ) and it seems to work just fine, but also I left enabled windows firewall so I can change between public or private network and have instant acess to shared resorces whenever I need it (something just IMPOSSIBLE with ESET firewall without having to reboot)

    THanks for all the help guys

    See ya!!!
      My Computer


 
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