Need a firewall for Vista

Hi. A friend of mine just got a new computer (Core i7, 6 Gb of RAM, 1 Tb hard drive, GTS 260) and will be installing Windows Vista Ultimate x64 and I´d like to know which firewall would you recommend for it. I use Sygate but it wouldn´t work on Vista, so that´s not an option.
I don´t care/want HIPS protection, just a standard firewall that does what a firewall should, filter packages and allow you to control which programs can access the internet (and not the Vista buit in firewall).
Thanks a lot in advance.

 

So what's wrong with the Vista built in firewall? Then we can better recommend a firewall for you.

 

With x64 the choices are going to be more limited. Comodo and the Win Firewall work fine. There may be others but I am not aware of them.

 

Vista Firewall with advanced security https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=239750&highlight=windows firewall advanced security

Comodo Firewall when installing uncheck antivirus and defense + Free
Look n Stop Paid
Vistax64 Firewall Control Free&Paid
Zone Alarm Paid
Webroot Desktop Firewall Free (older version of Private Firewall)
Private Firewall Free

 

There is always Outpost Firewall, although it does have HIPS. He may still even be able to pick up a lifetime license!

 

I have been on an quest for an basic Firewall for over six months now. Basic Firewalls do not exist any more.
One reason for this is the evolution of Blended Malware. Blended Malware can now invade as an Virus, Spyware, Worm, etc., or in any combination of said and more.
Security now days needs an layered approach for better protection, especially through the Firewall. Agnitum Firewall provides this layered approach.
Most of the stand alone Firewalls available either are not 64 bit compatible or are bloated with unnecessary features or have too many hard coded rules.
Some Firewalls patch the Windows Kernel to the point the Firewall controls Windows. The Firewall is to protect Windows, not control Windows. Still other Firewalls have
such strong self protection and can not be disabled and causes too many problems. Again, an Firewall is to protect Windows, not control Windows. Windows needs to know
everything that is going on in its environment and have full control over its realm. The Agnitum Firewall works with the Windows environment, not in opposition.
During my quest for the ideal Firewall, ideal in my definition is, user friendly interface, out of the box protection, and few if any hard coded rules. Also the
ability to configure the Firewall in an Set-it-and-forget-it mode with the option to override the suggested configuration to an granular point.
The only Firewall that satisfies this need is the Agnitum Firewall. As with any Security Software one must learn the Program, and it is worth the effort.
The retail version of Agnitum Outpost Firewall Pro and the Agnitum Outpost Firewall Free are both 32 Bit/64 Bit versions, and in my opinion the closest one can
have as an basic Firewall. The periodic Lifetime License offers are also very attractive. Some folks can not accept the advertisement window embedded in the
applications main page, but this advertisement does not do anything other than display Agnitum News and does not distract in any way or popup an window on the computer
screen so forceful that it results in an bloody nose like some other security software we are familiar with. The Agnitum advertisement also poses no security threat.
And Finally, the Agnitum Firewall allows the client to choose their own Antivirus solution that the Firewall will be happy to accept.

The Retail Version:
http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost/features.php

The Free Version:
http://free.agnitum.com/


HKEY1952

 

From my own experience Outpost works on Vista x64 Home Premium reliably. I have no other security applications installed. Just download the trial or free version and see for yourself.

 

Here's an interface that works with the built-in firewall, it's free, and allows you to: enable all connections, outbound only (eg. for browsers), inbound only, disable all. You can apply once, or apply at all times.

http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/order.html

I've used it for over a year now, and as it is working with the inbuilt firewall, no conflicts/slowdowns and it's one of the easiest firewalls to use.

 

Comodo Internet Security and installed via the custom options for 'Basic Firewall Protection' mode *only*.
http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/download_firewall.html
Don't forget to choose '......64bit' from the drop down menu.

 

I´ve installed Sphinx software´s Windows 7 firewall control and it seems to be working fine so far. I´ll keep the other suggestions in mind, but I´ve had bad experiences with Comodo on my own computer (BSODs)
Thanks

 

for what u want, Look n Stop is the best choice, hands down, its a true pure firewall that works great.

 

Private Firewall from Privacyware.com now has their firewall as freeware. Claims to be compatible with Vista 64-

Have a look-

http://www.privacyware.com/personal_firewall.html

 

I don't think you read the first post, he wants a firewall not an all-in-one borg take-over-your-machine piece of crapware.

Yes I really need "Email anomaly protection" in my firewall.

 

Oh funky, I realize my response was not near as inspiring as your snappy MS Windows fw interrogation. But some of those functions in a more sophisticated firewall can be disabled. Chill out.

 

The anomoly is the term 'basic firewall'. What is basic? Forget the bells and whistles many try to include. Is it
A. a firewall that is application aware
B. a firewall that is not application aware

If you answered A, you have a hard time finding any newer firewall that is 'basic'. Most are trying to be 'suites' now.

If you answered B, you have nothing new really except the one that comes with the OS.

I like the original firewalls that were application aware. They did not try to do everything, just let you control if an application was allowed inbound/outbound rights. As more of these 'firewall challenges' were performed (are your shields up ? ) the basic firewall was somehow morphed into a security suite. lol.

I no longer use a firewall everyday. I do use XP firewall often, and use SoftPerfect for troubleshooting or curiosity. I use a few ipsec rules. I rely on my router and a huge dose of knowing what I install.

When I did use a firewall, I enjoyed outpost pro v2x - 4x, although I liked 2x much better, as it was more, basic.

Good luck finding a newer firewall that is 'basic'.

Sul.

 

You're right, but it is beyond me how it's so complicated to sell a product that is just a firewall. As sully has explained, I view all these "suites" as complete bloatware. My opinion, but there it is.

Basically when I buy a firewall, I expect a firewall, when I buy a suite, I expect a suite. That product is completely out of scope of it's name.

 

Look N Stop is about as "pure" as 3rd party firewall's get.