The new PC Tools Firewall 6 is Out!

Discussion in 'other firewalls' started by bonedriven, Sep 1, 2009.

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  1. bonedriven

    bonedriven Registered Member

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    Download the latest version of PC Tools Firewall Plus and activate complete network protection for free!

    http://www.pctools.com/firewall/

    Current Version: 6.0.0.69
    Released: September 1, 2009
    Size: 10,532 KB
    Platforms: Designed for Windows 7 (32/64bit), Vista (32/64bit) and XP (32bit)

    :D
     
  2. romulous

    romulous Registered Member

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    Hm, glad to see an update, but I think I have a problem. Was using the previous 5.0.0.38, and now am using 6.0.0.69. When I go to create a new advanced rule, to block ports 135-139, I cannot do it. When I select 'ethernet type' of IPv4/v6, the 'protocol' setting of 'TCP or UDP' is blanked out (as is TCP, UDP, and ICMPv6). As that is blanked out, I come to a grinding halt, as I cannot even input a port range. Selecting all of the other ethernet types, one at a time, I see the same thing: TCP/UDP as a protocol is never enabled. Have to return to v5 I think.
     
  3. LagerX

    LagerX Registered Member

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    The new features and enhancements include:

    • Profiles – this major innovation simplifies enormously the ability of the end user to apply customised security settings to the different types of networks which they may encounter. Users can either modify the included default Profiles or create any number of new ones to suit their individual needs.
    • Redesigned Network Drivers – the Network Drivers has undergone some major changes to provide complete stealth on untrusted networks, increased stability, full support for the Windows Filtering Platform and a new Vista hooking platform for the TCP/IP Network Layer.
    • GUI Changes – The main GUI, whilst maintaining the ‘look & feel’ of PC Tools products, has a new design layout with functions ordered more logically on the main screen. In addition, frames within individual functions have been re-designed to provide ease-of-use and display relevant information for the end user.
    • Windows 7 Support – Firewall Plus has been designed to support both 32-bit and 64-bit version of the latest Microsoft operating system – Windows 7.
    • Complete Language Support – This version now contains support for all languages. Whilst some minor translation issues still exist, formatting & presentation are good.
    • WHQL signing of the NDIS Driver – NDIS driver has been certified with Microsoft Certification.
     
  4. Dregg Heda

    Dregg Heda Registered Member

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    Anyone checked this release out? Does it do what it says? Is the release stable? Whats the performance like? Thanks.
     
  5. 2good

    2good Guest

    Ive been running beta for a while ,very nice and smooth and now this one is real nice & doesnt slow your browsing a bit. give it a try
     
  6. niteghost

    niteghost Registered Member

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    Has any one try it with P2p,A ND TESTED IT WITH ALL THE tESTING SITES AS WELL?
     
  7. whitedragon551

    whitedragon551 Registered Member

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    Whats the resource usage with this thing? Im looking for something pretty light and it doesnt have to have tons of features. Hoping this is the winner.
     
  8. 2good

    2good Guest

    this one is a winner for sure it passes all firewall tests resources are light about 20.k for 2 processes it doesn't slow down web browsing its just perfect for me I'm running XP home w/SP3 and so far so good.
     
  9. whitedragon551

    whitedragon551 Registered Member

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    How quick is it upon boot up? Some like Comodo seem to hang for a bit.
     
  10. 2good

    2good Guest

    I never had a problem with the bootup its pretty quick considering I have an older system , with the new systems it should be pretty fast, hope that helps.
     
  11. mvdu

    mvdu Registered Member

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    Does it still have a lack of loopback control?
     
  12. nhamilton

    nhamilton Registered Member

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    It has loopback control, it is just not automatic.

    If you want an application is a server where you want to monitor which applications can connect to it via loopback you need to set a flag on it for that application then loopbacks will be monitored.
     
  13. mvdu

    mvdu Registered Member

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    OK, but I was really hoping it would be automatic with opt-out.
     
  14. Perman

    Perman Registered Member

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    Hi, just update it. However,

    The new version paralyzed my IE 8. Have not figured out why yet.

    Same thing happened to IE 8 with new update of Sunbelt personal firewall, something is very weired.
    Any idea ?
     
  15. dallas7

    dallas7 Guest

    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 3, 2009
  16. dallas7

    dallas7 Guest

    I haven't replaced v5 on my laptop or desktop on which they've been running for almost a year. But I did install it on my test box (AMD 1700+ proc, FIC mobo) running a superbly configured and expertly maintained WinXPpro/SP3 build. :cool:

    I too have found the rule making dialogues hamstrung as you did... settings blanked out or just not available. For example, I can no longer create an inbound TCP block rule for 127.0.0.1. I have those in v5 for several apps that think they have to run as servers.

    I'm also not wild about "Profiles" and the default packet rules versus the ones in v5.

    And I'm not sure yet (I'll need some more time) but I am almost certain unchecking "Automatically allow known applications" and "Enable enhanced security verification" does not disable whitelisting. Further, some apps won't build rules at all and the rules I build for them are ignored.

    One thing I am sure of though... Logging to History is even more dysfunctional in v6 as it is in v5.

    Version 5 is otherwise a jewel and it may turn out I'll be staying with it for a while longer.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 3, 2009
  17. romulous

    romulous Registered Member

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    Yeah - I've returned to v5. No matter what I did, those options were blanked out in the rules dialog. I did try and register for the PC Tools forums to post a bug report over there, but the forum refuses to send me a confirmation email, so I have a shell account that can't do anything (well, I can log in, but I can't post anything until I activate the account - which I can't do until it sends me an email). Oh well, maybe someone from over there reads the threads here at Wilders...

    Edit: One of the PC Tools mods has manually activated my account over at the PC Tools forums, so I've posted a report over there in the firewall sub-forum.
     
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2009
  18. dallas7

    dallas7 Guest

    Right now I'm testing Outpost Free 2009. I am certain I'll be migrating to it on my two main systems by next week.

    As much as I like it and as good as it is, FWP v6 does not offer the improvements I was expecting; in fact, in some respects, it went backwards.

    While FWP will offer enhanced protection vs Windows firewall for noobs and the illiterati, the power user, while not ignored, is not PC Tools' priority. Being an excellent firewall with a slick interface and having tested well, PCT deserves kudos for distributing FWP as freeware and I certainly appreciate the 10 months I've been running it.

    But, I've also grown weary of their upgrade roll outs as well as their confusing potpourri of overlapping products. When my Spyware Doctor expires in a few weeks, I'm buying into Avira Premium. I may, however, return to Threatfire.

    Cheers!
     
  19. dallas7

    dallas7 Guest

    Yes. Uh-huh. Yup. Spunky. You're welcome.
     
  20. bornagen

    bornagen Registered Member

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    my computer with pctools 6 cant be seen by other computers on my network its the same as zone alarm's problem with mine i did put my other pc's on the trusted ips:oops: still its blocked unlike comodo. But i like pc tools more cause its lighter.............. any advice how to configure pc tools properly on my network?
     
  21. TheIgster

    TheIgster Registered Member

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    PC Tools Firewall Plus working great here on Windows 7 64-bit RTM with Vipre and TF installed. No issues at all and network shares work perfectly, unlike another "we won't name" security suite.
     
  22. Access Denied

    Access Denied Registered Member

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    If you have admuncher, the firewall lets tons of apps thru it without asking for permission. Not good. going back to my old firewall. :doubt:
     
  23. entropism

    entropism Registered Member

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    Not sure where my problem lies as it seems to be a compatibility issue, but about a week after installing v.6 on my Win 7 x64 machine I'd randomly not be able to connect to the net, but only on random programs. Basically, firefox, IE8, and uTorrent would all report that there was no connection. My desktop widgets, IM programs and a few other things here & there would connect fine. I'd have to reboot the router & computer to fix the issue.

    For the record, I was using it with NOD32 4, Prevx 3 free, SAS pro. Once I uninstalled the FW, my connection returned to normal.
     
  24. zip

    zip Registered Member

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    So far 6.0.0.69 is doing just fine on my new Vista x64 system (Home Premium). The only thing I had to do was go into settings & block pings.

    I'd prefer a 64bit fw, but there are few available, especially free ones.

    The ones I've tried (ZA & Vista Firewall Control) gave me problems.

    Nothing Comodo is a choice!

    My experience with Outpost 2009 Free on XP keeps me from trying it on Vista.
    It drastically slowed my internet.
     
  25. dave88

    dave88 Registered Member

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    Very impressed so far. Seems very stable and zippy. A big improvement over the earlier versions I tried.

    The only minor issue I have is the "PC tool smart alert" contacting google analytic. This seems unnecessary. I could not find a setting to turn it off, but it can be set to block on the applications page.
     
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