Privatefirewall?

Discussion in 'other firewalls' started by JRCATES, May 3, 2016.

  1. JRCATES

    JRCATES Registered Member

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    I'm curious what users who currently have, or have had this firewall in the past think about this one.

    I've been familiar with it for a while, and know that it is free and has always tested very well in the past....but I've never installed it to try it out. I've used Online Armor (when Tall Emu sponsored it) and Outpost Pro (which Agnitum recently sold, and whose support and development will cease at the end of this year)...but I'm interested in something easy to use, easy to configure (i.e. - using the default settings out of the box, with perhaps a "learning mode" is probably most desirable)...but yet that offers stronger protection than just the Windows firewall does.

    I'm currently running Windows 7, but may be making the upgrade to 10 at some point this year....still not sure about that, though.

    So....what are your thoughts about this particular firewall? What are the Pros and Cons to it, as well as overall thoughts and experiences? Thanks
     
  2. TomAZ

    TomAZ Registered Member

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    I've used it for about 3 years now on XP -- love it. It takes a short time to get it 'trained,' but once that's done, it's very light and very effective. I didn't really use it all that much, but it does include a 'training' mode, which makes that process real easy, but you are exposed during the training period.

    I've never had a problem with the program -- or an intrusion. BTW. prior to this, I had used Outpost Pro. It worked OK, but was just too bloated for my taste.
     
  3. trott3r

    trott3r Registered Member

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    The ad blocking isnt as good as outpost when i last used it on xp.
     
  4. fblais

    fblais Registered Member

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    Ad blocking with PrivateFirewall?
     
  5. TomAZ

    TomAZ Registered Member

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    I use uBlock Origin for that and it works great. And they're compatible with each other (at least on my system).
     
  6. hjlbx

    hjlbx Guest

    PrivateFirewall has not been actively developed for years at this point. If there are any major problems with it and reported, then the developer will not fix it.

    It's freeware and it's use is "As is" without any support.

    Some people use it without issue, others experience problems.
     
  7. chrisclu

    chrisclu Registered Member

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    I still use Outpost and it is providing my ad blocking as well
     
  8. fblais

    fblais Registered Member

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    Just went to privacyware.com and PFW is not offered anymore.
    Their sole product now is threatsentry.
    I hope the company runs well...
     
  9. hjlbx

    hjlbx Guest

    Private Firewall is freeware; you can still download it from the links on the PrivacyWare website.

    However, Private Firewall has not been actively developed for at least a few years by now; PrivacyWare very rarely makes any changes to PF - really only to make it compatible with the most recent Windows OS version. There are more than just a few bugs...
     
  10. fblais

    fblais Registered Member

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    Yes, I know it's freeware since a few years.
    My point is that it disappeared from their website completely.
    There's no link to get it.
    I'm not looking to download it, my post is just informative.
     
  11. hjlbx

    hjlbx Guest

    There are download links throughout this page: https://www.privacyware.com/personal_firewall.html
     
  12. fblais

    fblais Registered Member

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    Well, this page still exists, but is not visible from the website.
    This is my last reply on that matter, by the way.
     
  13. itman

    itman Registered Member

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    PFW hasn't been updated since 12/19/2013. So it is fairly obvious the developer is no longer actively supporting it. Probably the reason any ref. to it has been removed from the developer's main web page.
     
  14. boredog

    boredog Registered Member

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  15. itman

    itman Registered Member

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    FYI

    PRODUCT INFORMATION

    Please be advised that development of and support for Privatefirewall has been suspended and will resume when and if a viable licensing or other business arrangement is established. Thank you for your support!

    *Windows 10 Support
    For those experiencing challenges installing/operating Privatefirewall on Windows 10 (either via upgrade or new system), consider the following:

    - Uninstall Privatefirewall. Reboot system.
    - Apply right mouse to Privatefirewall installer 7.0.30.3 and select Run as administrator. Install and reboot.

    Privatefirewall is not formally certified for Windows 10, but in most cases, it will operate as expected on Windows 10 systems. In others, it may be necessary to specify the Win 8 compatibility setting. To do so, go to Start, All apps, Privatefirewall 7.0, apply right mouse and select Properties, Select Compatibility tab, check Compatibility mode checkbox "Run this program in compatibility mode: Windows 8". Click Apply. Restart system.


    Ref.: https://www.privacyware.com/PF_support.html
     
  16. boredog

    boredog Registered Member

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    thanks itman
    I tried to install it in quietzone but requires a restart and when that happens the whole install is gone. also right after install and before restart it disconnected my internet connection and so I am afraid to install it out of quietzone. really don't want to restore a image today.
     
  17. hayc59

    hayc59 Updates Team

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    Yo..Just installed this firewall and seems good so far...I have it in training 'mode' for three days
    with pop-ups...anything I should know about it? I tweaked it just a little
    just looking around for one on XP Pro when Outpost splits the scene ;)
     
  18. itman

    itman Registered Member

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    The developer has officially stopped supporting it. As such, it shouldn't be used.
     
  19. bellgamin

    bellgamin Registered Member

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    Over & above its still-competent firewall, PFW also has HIPS & overflow options built in. PFW is old, short-tempered, & heavily armed. -- still good protection for XP or 7. ( Never pick up a rottweiler by its tail.)
     
  20. Nebulus

    Nebulus Registered Member

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    Why not? The fact that it is not supported anymore doesn't mean that it stops working... Of course, I would agree with you if a serious vulnerability would be found in the above mentioned product; in that case the lack of support becomes critical.
     
  21. hayc59

    hayc59 Updates Team

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    Its actually not bad...so far @itman..I know folks still using Sygate
     
  22. Banzi

    Banzi Registered Member

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    I still use it with no problems at all. It doesn't survive a Windows 10 upgrade & can't be reinstalled after the upgrade. It installs fine on a clean install of Windows 10.
     
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