Whitelisting firewall?

I recently uninstalled TinyWall since it seems that development has ceased, and I've experienced many bugs with the application. What I'm looking for is something with a default-deny, whitelisting approach to firewall rules. TinyWall was ideal due to how light it was, however, I would like to be prompted about what I want to do when a program tries to access the internet - something TinyWall does not offer. Other choices such as COMODO Firewall, Outpost, Online Armor, and Private Firewall contain other functions that I don't need (HIPS), and overall seem to be much heavier than running the default Windows Firewall.

What would you recommend?

 

What is your favorite windows firewall controller?

 

Is TinyWall developement dead? latest 2.1 is dated july'13
it also got reputation here https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=359462

 

An addition to the thread in post #2 is SterJo NetStalker.

 

I think you should try Ashampoo Firewall FREE.

I am using winxp and was quite handicapped without any firewall too.
I tried Outpost,Comodo Firewall and Defense wall, but i found Ashampoo was simple and good, has a whitelisting feature and will prompt users to allow or deny any connection made. Allows users to whitelist on the go.
I am using this now.

 

Whitelisting Tinywall

I have been using tinywall for about a year now. I turned on my computer today and nothing goes out unless I turn off the firewall. I have uninstalled and reinstalled and still have the same problems. I have read that I need to whitelist each process I want to sent data out, but I obviously have no idea how to do this. When I rightclick "whitelist by process" I get a bunch of options and I have tried clicking on them, but still nothing works. Please let me know. I cannot even perform a basic internet search without turning off the firewall.

 

Re: Whitelisting Tinywall

If you are a novice user, handling TinyWall is very difficult. I would recommend OA/PF/ZA/Comodo. In TinyWall, you should get an option 'Whitelist by window' - something of that sort. Then click on the application window which you want to whitelist.

 

Re: Whitelisting Tinywall

Sphinx has been around for years and supports up to Win 8...

http://sphinx-soft.com/Vista/index.html

I don't know how well it works so I can't offer a recommendation on it, other than maybe trial it to see if it fits your needs.

 

If you have used TW already a year, you should have from time to time had exported your firewall settings including the made application exceptions:
Manage->Maintenance->Export Settings.
That is important to do just in case when for some reason you need to reinstall TW and then you can import the settings easy back.

Perhaps some antivirus etc proxy have let out your browser before without needing to make a rule for it. Try changing TinyWall to 'Allow outgoing' mode and see if you still have the problem.

 

Thank you to the people who responded. I seemed to be able to manage TinyWall when I first started using it a year ago. It DOES currently work when I select "allow outgoing" mode. The problem is that when I click on applications from "whitelist by process" it no longer seems to allow the app to work - it shows up as a app given access, but it does not actually allow access, unless in allow outgoing mode (what it is in now so I can access internet). I have a feeling it is related to a download I got from Avast AV when I turned on my computer yesterday. The access problems started right after that. I deleted and reinstalled AAvast, but it did not help.

I had ZA for awhile and felt mixed about it. I will look at some of the other recommendations.

 

Another Firewall, some people wouldn't know i.e., Look 'n' Stop Firewall 2.07 Website.
I am not an expert but i can sure get in and through once i get the walkthrough or a readme file.
This definitely looks a little professional and complex.
Just giving myself a 30 days trial and see, how it fares.

 

To me, your really describing Outpost firewall. Just turn off everything you don't want.

 

Look'n'Stop is still the great firewall...but it's paid But if you use XP you could always use free firewalls like Kerio 2.1.5, Filseclab FW, Sygate 5.6, SoftPerfect FW.

 

thank you to everyone who posted
I decided to try ZA again after talking with someone local.
I am not having the problems I had with it before.
It is bulkier than TinyWall, but I am saving way more time overall!