Solved Best W8 Firewall 2014?

crimson · Jul 11, 2014

Since I'm back on W8, I'm looking into Firewalls again.

Firewalls from MS don't make any sense. Because it will likely let anything from MS through the lines. And I don't want anything going through without asking for my permission first. I need something that is going to stop every single thing attempting to go through, and ask my permission. Regardless of whether or not my OS company considers it safe.

I was looking into Online Armor. But the first thing on the website is about a white list that they have considered safe to go through. But people need a Firewall that we can actually set ourselves. I'm not sure if Online Armor has another level where it ignores the white list, and informs me of every single attempt so that I can decide if I want to let it through.

pparks1 · Jul 11, 2014

I don't think the general population wants a firewall which blocks all outbound connections. I couldn't imagine having to click on allow for each and every outbound transaction I wanted to make.

I only care about unwanted incoming connections...and my NAT firewall stops those before they even hit my computer.

oneeyed · Jul 11, 2014

PParks is right, most users only need a firewall for inbound connections. With most people having a router, this is done via hardware, and you shouldn't need any software solution. If not, Windows Firewall is more than enough.

For power-users and security freaks, check my old post here : http://www.eightforums.com/system-s...ty-firewall-recommendations-2.html#post312060

So yeah, you CAN confgure windows firewall to block anything you want wether it's from MS or not. Google for guides, I'm pretty sure there are some on the net. Hint : Advanced Settings.

davehc · Jul 12, 2014

Microsoft have a reasonably good page of their own, explaining the use of the Windows firewall, and how to configure it

Windows Firewall from start to finish - Windows Help

crimson · Jul 12, 2014

Wouldn't a firewall from MS be a bad idea? That's like hiring the bank robber to guard your bank. In order to be sure nothing goes in nd out with out your permission, a third party firewall would be required. Like the main thing I used to test if there's leaks is Windows Update. If Windows Update automatically goes through without the firewall ever asking me permission, then something is wrong. I mean if a firewall company is closely associated with MS, then they might let stuff through without my knowing no matter what. I just think it's less likely that a third party will pull something shady.

So whether it's incoming or outgoing, if I haven't set the permissions, it should be asking me. And that's why I'm wary of which firewall to go for. Because I've gotten some with white lists that will allow certain things to just go through. Which is what I'm trying to avoid. I need something that will notify me, and ask me if I want it to go through always, once, or never.

davehc · Jul 12, 2014

Your choice.
"Wouldn't a firewall from MS be a bad idea"

Why do you think a third party firewall is more trustworthy? I would put my money on a company the size of MS, who, I would feel, would take a long time to get down to what little me is doing.
Not clear what you mean with your comment on the Windows updates?? I have mine set to nitrify me, and I choose whatever. In all cases I let it install the bundle, for better or worse.
Have a look at my link in my first post and set some permissions. It may reassure you.

oneeyed · Jul 12, 2014

I think being paranoid is a good attitude when concerning security, but at least be consistent in your reasoning and go all the way...

So Microsoft is pure evil and intentionally cheat you in their firewall by allowing their own programs to spy on you or report on you ? It might be true... Who knows ? I certainly don't. It doesn't seem that way since you can block EVERYTHING even essential services in the advanced settings which can brick your connection. But yeah, it IS always possible that the user is somehow tricked.

But, if that's so what prevents this same company from tricking the 3rd party firewalls that are based on MS's own OS ??!!?? Microsoft designed the OS, the libraries, all the programming framework that these 3rd party solutions work on... How in hell can you be sure that they don't get tricked in the same way ? Come on, follow your logic... You can't. To take the same metaphor you did in your second post it would be like hiring honest guards to guard the bank; but in this case the bank robbers actually own the bank and built it, they own the cameras, they pay the guards, hell they are the ones who call the police when there's a robbery.

So honestly if you are really serious in your allegations, then switch to a Linux Distro : Ubuntu or LinuxMint are nice for desktop users, or you could even switch to FreeBSD. You can still run your windows applications via Wine or VMWare. And you'll have no worries about the evil capitalistic MS. If you are that worried about privacy/security concerns, this is the only way. Even then, if you are that paranoid you should check the source code of Linux by yourself to be absolutely certain there's no trick inside, maybe put there by an evil developer bribed by another global company bent on spying on unsuspecting users. We never know after all. Good luck with that though...

mikeytg · Jul 12, 2014

crimson said:
Wouldn't a firewall from MS be a bad idea?

I hate to scare you but you are using an operating system created my Microsoft. They own you in every way imaginable. If you can't trust MS then you should be using another OS, or better yet roll your own.

crimson · Jul 12, 2014

oneeyed said:
I think being paranoid is a good attitude when concerning security, but at least be consistent in your reasoning and go all the way...

So Microsoft is pure evil and intentionally cheat you in their firewall by allowing their own programs to spy on you or report on you ? It might be true... Who knows ? I certainly don't. It doesn't seem that way since you can block EVERYTHING even essential services in the advanced settings which can brick your connection. But yeah, it IS always possible that the user is somehow tricked.

But, if that's so what prevents this same company from tricking the 3rd party firewalls that are based on MS's own OS ??!!?? Microsoft designed the OS, the libraries, all the programming framework that these 3rd party solutions work on... How in hell can you be sure that they don't get tricked in the same way ? Come on, follow your logic... You can't. To take the same metaphor you did in your second post it would be like hiring honest guards to guard the bank; but in this case the bank robbers actually own the bank and built it, they own the cameras, they pay the guards, hell they are the ones who call the police when there's a robbery.

So honestly if you are really serious in your allegations, then switch to a Linux Distro : Ubuntu or LinuxMint are nice for desktop users, or you could even switch to FreeBSD. You can still run your windows applications via Wine or VMWare. And you'll have no worries about the evil capitalistic MS. If you are that worried about privacy/security concerns, this is the only way. Even then, if you are that paranoid you should check the source code of Linux by yourself to be absolutely certain there's no trick inside, maybe put there by an evil developer bribed by another global company bent on spying on unsuspecting users. We never know after all. Good luck with that though...

Your logic is completely flawed. All you're saying is.
A. Least risk Windows with third party Firewall.
B. More risk using Windows with MS Firewall.
C. Use something that is doesn't do anything useful.

And you say the only choice is B or C. Well C is out of the question. And as far as I'm concerned, A is better than B.

davehc said:
Your choice.
"Wouldn't a firewall from MS be a bad idea"

Why do you think a third party firewall is more trustworthy? I would put my money on a company the size of MS, who, I would feel, would take a long time to get down to what little me is doing.
Not clear what you mean with your comment on the Windows updates?? I have mine set to nitrify me, and I choose whatever. In all cases I let it install the bundle, for better or worse.
Have a look at my link in my first post and set some permissions. It may reassure you.

Even if you set all the permissions. It's still a guard from the same company that is supposed to be guarding the company. If you set all the permissions to block everything from MS Windows using MS Firewall, what's to say it won't secretly allow certain things to go through anyway? You can't be completely sure who to trust either way, but I'd rather go with the lesser risk of using a third party.

CountMike · Jul 13, 2014

Besides all that, would internet work at all on a system where FW blocks everything ?

crimson · Jul 13, 2014

Never mind.

Online Armor actually worked excellent. It didn't slow anything down. Once you install it, it allows programs and stuff that it recognizes by default. You can go in, and disable it, so that it will block everything no matter what. Just because its trusted, doesn't mean you want it accessing the internet.

Take Office, Adobe software, AutoDesk software. All meant to be used offline. If I'm using Office, I have absolutely no need to go onto the internet. Like if I'm just writing something in Word. Yet it always attempts to access the internet no matter what you do. There's no reason for Word to be accessing the internet when using it for completely offline purposes.

Solved Best W8 Firewall 2014?

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