Lightest, most stable Vista 64 firewall

Tried searching, but information on Vista 64-bit firewalls seems to be quite scattered.

I'm looking for a light sw firewall that does:

- light on CPU usage under EXTREMELY heavy simultaneous
incoming/outgoing network loads (LnS is the benchmark here)
- app specific outbound rules
- absolutely no glitches, problems, crashes or need to use tricks/beta
versions
- plays well with Vista 64 (obviously) and other Vista 64 security software

What are the options?

- Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0x (without HIPS)
- Look'n'Stop 2.06p2

Is CFP 3.0x series working without issues, if one disables the HIPS module?

Any others to consider?

Your feedback is appreciated.

 

Have a look at VistaFireWallcontrol the free and paid version, works with native FW kernel of Vista, so should give no glitches. Have no idea how it performs under heavy loads. Works well on a Vista64 gaming PC

 

Thanks, I will. Any reviews/test of that? It's completely new to me and as such, I'm always a little wary.

 

The lightest you will ever find is the built in firewall in Vista, but setting it up for outbound control is difficult to say the least. It is not designed to stop sneaky outbound communication attempts, rather it is intended to enforce corporate IT policy regarding internet capable applications. It (supposedly) will prevent spoofing of BITS. There are no pop ups. Once configured it may be given to a user with no technical knowledge. If UAC requires a password, then the firewall settings are password protected.

 

May also try PC Tools Firewall, which is based on Look'n'Stop, if I am right and which was running quite light and without problems on my system (although it is XP).

 

32 bit only, I think.

 

Oh sorry, I was thinking about Vista in general didn't see the 64

 

I believe Jetico 2 is x64 compatible now.

http://www.jetico.com/jpf2.htm

The only other x64 Vista firewalls that come to mind are Webroot's (based on Privacyware's Private Firewall) and Outpost. Not sure about the lightness of either of those. I had a memory leak in Webroot although that was not experienced by others.

http://www.webroot.com/En_US/consumer-products-desktopfirewall.html

http://www.agnitum.com/products/

 

I tried LnS x64 on Vista once and it worked well.

 

Thanks for all the comments.

Looks like the usual culprits (LnS, Comodo and Jetico) are at least possible options. I have experience with all of them so it's a bonus.

I was hoping I could have tried out Online Armor Firewall, but they don't have Vista 64-bit version out yet.

 

Unfortunately of the three, only Comodo is free.

 

I wonder how many have actually tried vistaFireWallCOntrol 1.3 it really impresses. The Vista64 gaming rigs Ping from NL to UK is 38ms with VFWC, while the XP rig with Comodo3 (same cards, PC 5 meter seperated from each other) has a ping of 285ms. It is free and has a Vista64 version, uses Vista own firewall engine.

VFWC did not pass 4 test (see post https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=193909) of leak tests, so it is not to bad either and so easy to use.

Missed leaktest PC Flanktester, DSNtester, Ghost and Wallbreaker

BigC's comment https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showpost.php?p=1105008&postcount=13

 

Oh, it doesn't have to be free. I think even €50 EUR is a small price to pay if it works trouble free and saves time & hassle. At least it is for me. YMMV - of course.

I guess I'll try at least LnS - I have a license already. I'm intrigues by Jetico as well, but a little wary of Comodo 3 due to all the trouble they had with launching v3.

 

You should also look into getting phant0m''s ruleset if you're going to use LnS.

 

Yup. I'm running it as I write this (XP 32-bit). I'm a licensed user. Very happy and recommend them myself too