Prevent programs to access internet (home calls)


  1. Posts : 25
    Vista Ultimate / soon Windows 7 Ultimate
       #1

    Prevent programs to access internet (home calls)


    Sorry, if this question was answered already, couldn't find it. Maybe somebody could give me a quick hint.

    I don't really need a firewall (I use a router).


    I'm looking just for something that alerts me if a program wants to access internet (and send out information) and where I have the chance to allow or prevent that (recurring/nonrecurring).
    • is there a small (preferably freeware) program availabe for this?
    • is this possible and useful with Windows Firewall?
    • if not, what Firewall (especially to manage the outgoing traffic) would you prefer?
    Thanks a lot!

    Wolfgang
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 259
    Windows7 x64 7600 16385
       #2

    Check out Sphynx software's Windows7 Firewall control. There is a free version and it does what you want.

    Edit: here is the link: http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/order.html
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3,960
    W7 x64
       #3

    Drachenstein said:
    I don't really need a firewall (I use a router).
    Not all routers have any/sufficiently strong firewalls. Those which offer SPi are pretty decent as a rule, but to block applications from phoning home it would generally be advisable to handle these with a software firewall which runs in addition to any hardware protection.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 25
    Vista Ultimate / soon Windows 7 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #4

    @subsonic: yeah, that's what I heard too. Looks I'll go to install this tomorrow - thanks!

    @Qdos: well, there's the WF as well. Do you think with the Sphynx Windows7 Firewall in addtion (should I actually run both?) it's sufficient?

    Thanks - Wolfgang
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,614
    Windows 7 Pro & Vista Home Premium
       #5

    PCTools has an older version of Firewall plus free probably about 5 or 4 that told you everything that was going through.

    Soory,. couldn't locate it.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3,960
    W7 x64
       #6

    Personally I use a different software firewall...
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 259
    Windows7 x64 7600 16385
       #7

    Sphinx Windows7 firewall control runs together with the WF just fine. Its kinda like the "front end" that Microsoft forgot to put on Windows Firewall!
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,614
    Windows 7 Pro & Vista Home Premium
       #8

    Try this link for PC Tools Firewall Plus 5:
    Download PC Tools Firewall Plus 5.0 - Protects your computer from intruders.

    They may have replaced it with the newer version,. not sure
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 8,608
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit SP1
       #9

    Please read Lawrence Abrams :Understanding and Using 'Firewalls' Understanding and Using Firewalls

    He gives a lot of insight to the question of using both a software program and your router's firewall.
    Recommendations about 'free' firewalls are out dated, but read the tutorial for your own benefit.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 5,941
    Linux CENTOS 7 / various Windows OS'es and servers
       #10

    reghakr said:
    Try this link for PC Tools Firewall Plus 5:
    Download PC Tools Firewall Plus 5.0 - Protects your computer from intruders.

    They may have replaced it with the newer version,. not sure

    Hi there.

    I think the OP wants it the OTHER way around -- not people from Outside but to stop applications on his machine INSIDE from "phoning home" -- programs supplied by organisations such as adobe often do this to try and avoid people from using keygens on their programs which might allow a program to actually install but it will stop it working when the activation server is contacted.

    However the downside to this is that Legitimate users of the programs go through this as well and if you aren't connected to the internet - your LEGAL program will stop working.

    Nice if you are say a photographer having to post process photos for an important client which you are doing off line on your own machine and the application decides at that moment to "phone home" .

    I'm sure even basic AV software surely would have some log of what programs are making use of Internet services. Most organisations have programs which detail what sites are visited by client computers on a network with how much time is spent on the net.

    Any of these type of programs would do -- or set yourself up a proxy server which handles all Internet requests. Block those you don't like.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


 

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