Personal Firewalls

A personal firewall is an application which controls network traffic to and from a computer, typically working as an application layer firewall. The Windows Firewall based on Windows Filtering Platform (WFP), the security core of Windows, gives you a false sense of security; it only filters incoming traffic by default. This means if your PC is compromised by a spyware or keylogger, it is able to send out all your personal info. Also, almost all applications installed on your system and the apps that come with windows 8/10 communicate outside. If you are a nervous person and particular that no program connects outside without your permission, a personal firewall configured in a white-list mode (default-deny) is a must. All firewalls below are compatible with Windows 10.

Native Windows Firewall

From 7 onwards, the built-in Windows Firewall with Advanced Security is quite good, except that it is configured in a default-allow mode for outgoing connections and is capable of filtering IP packets based on various protocols, local or remote ports, addresses, subnetworks, application and packet direction etc., separately or in combination. But the only problem is that it is not easy to configure and operate. If you wish to use the native windows firewall for restricting outgoing connections, you can do so by opening "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security" with administrator rights and click "Windows Firewall Properties" and change the state of outbound connections to "Block" for all the three profiles - Domain, Private and Public. Thereafter you can remove all the default outbound rules and create just the rules required for windows background operations. You have to then create an "allow rule" for each program which needs to communicate outside.

BiniSoft Windows Firewall Control

Windows Firewall Control is a powerful tool which extends the functionality of Windows Firewall and provides new extra features which makes Windows Firewall even better. It runs in the system tray and allows the user to control the native firewall easily without having to waste time by navigating to the specific part of the firewall. Blocked notifications are available only for paid users, but this feature is not required as new rules can be created easily from the recently allowed and blocked connections in security log. WFC recommended rules for smooth operation of windows background functions are automatically created and can be restored anytime. All rules are created in the Windows native firewall itself. Program UI can be exited after configuration and need to be opened only when a rule is to be created. Light-weight. Basic version Free. Download

TinyWall

TinyWall is a tiny application which uses Windows Firewall API and lets you configure the Windows Firewall the easy way. TinyWall can be thought of as a configuration interface of Windows Firewall as it does not have any filter of its own. It will rely on Windows Firewall to implement all the security measures configured in the program. Multiple ways to whitelist programs - from blocked connections, process list, services, and executable. No notifications or popups - always silent mode. White-list mode by default. Rules are automatically created in the Windows Firewall. Rules for smooth operation of windows background functions are automatically created. Tinywall works in a different way. Each time the program starts, new temporary rules are created in Windows Firewall for all programs. Can block windows update if required. Light-weight. 100% Free. Note: In Windows 10, at very rare occasions, the program hangs for a few seconds and the internet connection is blocked. The issue seems to have been resolved in Ver.3.0 Download.

Henry++ SimpleWall

Simple tool to configure Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) at user-mode level (no drivers etc.) which can configure network activity on your computer. Disables the native windows firewall. Works independently using WFP. No popups. So small and simple. Rule creation is basically a check or uncheck on the list of programs. White-list mode available. Pre-defined system rules for windows background functions are available. Optional popup notifications. Internal blocking lists (malware, telemetry) available. Rules work even after program is closed. Program needed for configuration only. Portable version available. Extremely light-weight. 100% Free and open source. Download

Sordum Firewall App Blocker

This is a very basic program based entirely on the native windows firewall. A simple interface for windows firewall. Very easy to operate. No installation. No notifications or alerts or connection logs. Applications are to be selected from process window to allow. White-list mode available. Rules for basic windows background functions to be created manually or default windows firewall rules have to be accepted. Download










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Other Firewalls / Controllers
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GlassWire

GlassWire is a free network monitor & security tool with a built in firewall. This is not an independent firewall but creates rules in the windows firewall. No white-list mode in free version. Existing rules work even when exited. Cannot create a manual rule. Has to wait until the program requests for a connection. Light-weight. Download

Evorim Free Firewall

This is a simple German made independent firewall. White-list mode available. Extreme-light. Notifications available. Simple to configure. No option to manually add a program. Note: When tested, a bug was found in the white-list mode. When a block rule is deleted or allowed once, the program is permanently allowed open. Free. Download

Sphinx Windows Firewall Control

Windows 10 Firewall Control is based on Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) completely and does not install any third party kernel drivers. Control of system applications is available only in paid versions. These are allowed by default. Very bad UI. Download

Wokhansoft Windows Firewall Notifier

WFN is not a full-featured firewall, but an extension build upon the Windows Filtering Platform (WFP). Basically, it enhances the Windows Firewall. Does not require to be "installed", but rather unzipped and optionally activated if you want to use the outbound connection notifications. Inconsistent behaviour. Dead slow. Worst UI. Difficult to identify/block windows background processes. Download

ZoneAlarm Free Firewall

A full-featured independent firewall. Turns-off native windows firewall. Too many features. No white-list mode. Trusted programs are allowed by default and rules are created without any notifications / alerts. Have to deny one by one. Notifications cannot be turned off; no silent-mode. Free. Download

Comodo Free Firewall

A full-featured complicated heavy independent bloated firewall. Default rules for windows background processes exist. Trusted apps may be allowed. Free. Download

Xvirus Personal Firewall

Xvirus Personal Firewall is designed as a simple application that enables the user to check all active connections and control which are granted access or not. No white-list option. Very basic. Notifications for program access. But programs are allowed even when notified. Download

Privacyware Private Firewall

Simple independent firewall. Disables native windows firewall. No white-list option. No notifications. Programs are allowed by default. Download

FortKnox Free Firewall

Full-fledged firewall. Advanced protections. Easy to configure. Automatically creates basic rules for windows functions. Requires paid version for full control of applications. No white-list option. But most programs are notified before allowed. Download