Configure Windows 7 Firewall or get other program?

You can, virtualize ! But I'd use a "hardware" firewall/router instead of using Windows (any Windows) to do that... Btw, use the "better" routers - don't use consumer/"SOHO" class routers, the software embedded in them are "child play" compared to iptables...

zzz2496

Here is a commercial grade firewall for cheap. I have owned several over the years work perfectly. Once you buy it, flash it to the newest release and then register it under your name and you will get free upgrades for a year. After that you will need to pay, but I wouldn't once everything is configured is will run for years and years without issues.

sonicwall 2040 firewall - eBay (item 160439009074 end time Jun-01-10 07:07:59 PDT)

There are other software firewalls out there that can do similar to what iptables can do... Windows firewall can do some of what iptables can do, but seriously, are you really really want to expose your Windows box to the world?

zzz2496

Ps. read my first post, in the "Advanced Security" mode, you should see all of Windows firewall's "options".

timebandit1 said:

I was hoping not to buy anything and manage with what I have.

So you mean that I can't make this I wanted without running VM or something? There's no Software that can do this like the Iptables functions in Linux?

I guess this depends on what you want. Do you care about security? Do you care about if someone gains access to your computer? Do you care about identity theft, etc. etc. etc.

If it were me under $400 is a very very small price to pay for keeping your identity and data safe. However if you really don't want to spend the money, second choice is to use and old computer with *ix on it and it will work great as a firewall. Or if you really want to not have another device then go with a VM and *ix load, but keep in mind if the VM is down others are down, if you need to reboot others are down, etc. The hardware is you best solution IMHO.

My best suggestion if you are trying to get away from *ix would be purchase/use a machine as a Windows Server. Install Windows Server 2003/2003R2/2008/2008R2 on that machine and you can configure Windows Server to do what you are asking. Windows 7 was not designed for this. Windows 7 is really a client operating system.

timebandit1 said:

WindowsStar;763633
[COLOR=#323232 said:

If it were me under $400 is a very very small price to pay for keeping your identity and data safe. However if you really don't want to spend the money, second choice is to use and old computer with *ix on it and it will work great as a firewall. Or if you really want to not have another device then go with a VM and *ix load, but keep in mind if the VM is down others are down, if you need to reboot others are down, etc. The hardware is you best solution IMHO.

Yes. If the VM is down/rebooting all other loose their internet etc. That setup I had for some years with a Linux computer acting as router/firewall. Now I want to replace Linux with Windows 7 as I also use that computer to watch movies and the sound system.
Just to make the using of that computer easier.

zzz2496 said:

Ps. read my first post, in the "Advanced Security" mode, you should see all of Windows firewall's "options".

I have tried that out but still IP 192.168.2.5 (Laptop) can do whatever he want to. Getting full access to everything while Windows 7 (that has the firewall) can't do much.
The settings seems not to affect any computer connected to the second network interface (192.168.2.2).

Hmm... I'm confused, what exactly do you want this laptop NOT to be able to do?

zzz2496