basic, hips or behavior blocker: what do you recommend as of september 2013?

basic firewall software, hips or behavior blocker, or maybe some sort of combo of these technologies? and what particular software would you recommend as of september 2013? and why? (other than windows' built-in firewall).
preferably free, but paid ones are welcome, too. (especially ones with whitelist/exception list option)
thank you

 

You can give Online Armor (Free) a try, I am very impressed w/ this product, it seems to be very solid and light.

 

+1 for OA free.

 

+1 for OA.. lightweight and solid..

 

OA works in Windows 8.1?

 

Online armor has been good so far. You could also look into Comodo Firewall.

www.techsupportalert.com/content/how-install-comodo-firewall.htm

 

Well if you are interested in the HIPS I would look at Comodo FW, it's less buggy than OA and lighter under my experience, also the HIPS module has been always better than OA, like matousec, and Anti-malware.ru have shown in their tests several times.

It's free and has a file rating system included (cloud AV)

 

+1 Comodo's firewall w/ HIPS is excellent too.

 

XP is still alive so I will have some dilemma - System Safety Monitor or ThreatFire. For those who like something more modern or have newer Windows - Online Armor and SpyShelter (both version - antilogger or firewall).

 

for me Online Armor

 

Another vote for Online Armor.

 

- which windows?
- what kind of security do you expect in special?
- whats your usual business at the computer?
- do you share your computer?
- how would you describe your skill to security software? to windows?

come on - input = output

PS i dont recommend in general, for anyone - only in special. depending of some points i have written.

 

Comodo firewall followed closely by OA (tough choice) and then private firewall.

 

Using OA with Windows 8 takes a lot of training. I had to answer a pop-up for every little part of the control panel I opened. I was ok with that as I was familiar with OA.

The part that really stumped me was getting a pop-up when I opened an app. From what I've seen so far security programs aren't visible with an opened app and at the time I didn't know how to close an app . I thought my PC froze and all along OA was giving a pop-up when I opened PC Settings.

With this newest install I joined the Anti-Malware network so hopefully the OA database has a little more info about Windows 8. I hear the future version will be more familiar with Windows 8 and can't wait to give it a try.

 

My Online Armor free reinstall failed cause I could not get an internet connection to them. Seems the web page is down too. Oh well things happen.

EDIT: Strange i can't connect to Emsisoft by my normal connection but I can with VPN connection

 

thank you all for your replies.

@Brummelchen:
1. win 7 & vista & xp on different stations.
2. as unobtrusive, yet effective and powerful as possible, tight in&outbound security.
3. computing habits of a regular wilders member.
4. some i do, some i don't.
5. same as an average wilders member.

here are the inputs. waiting for your output.
thanks

regards

 

Average Wilders member

a) Throws rocks to his own windows to check whether security holds = higher as average risk profile

b) Changes security setup at least few times per year

c) Uses at least one of the following besides his AV
- HIPS
- Firewall
- Application Sandbox
- Anti executable
- Policy containment out of the box
- Policy containment third party
- Disk virtualisation
- Virtual Machine
- Unix distro for primary use/secondary use/safe banking/emergency recovery

d) uses at least two of the security aps listed at C with NO AV

See propblably best security list at Gizmo's and have fun trying

 

I've had good luck at different times with either PrivateFirewall, Online Armor or Comodo. I am currently running CIS 6 on this machine and have found it quite light and effective. The antivirus has really improved as well.
http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/secu...-shows-biggest-improvement-in-antivirus-tests

 

ymmd

 

Have you tried Sandboxie or DefenseWall? Also, 64-bit or 32-bit? If it's the former then DefenseWall is automatically not an option.

What about throwing apples to your windows?

 

Apples, Pinguins, Droids the lot

 

I've been using only Comodo Firewall for quite a long time, and I can tell you that it's a light and sure bet. But only if you want to spend some time understanding how it works and tweaking it a bit.