SCYTHE844 - AND - RDMALOYJR - YOU ARE BOTH WRONG !!!!!!!!!!!!
On contrary, seems that you're talking all the same. Vista Firewall Control isn't a firewall, just a control tool for the built in Vista firewall.
Hi Tech, (if I woulda said hullo Tech, would that have been abbreviated to "'lo Tech" har har)
I'm glad for your point of view because it led me to share this diagnosis........
jimb11 simply asked..... "If you use the Vista Firewall Control can you turn off the built-in vista firewall?"
davidr responds with... "No, that is the whole point it makes it easier to 'control' the standard Vista Firewall, because the default interface isn't very user friendly."
rdmaloyjr responds..... "Vista Firewall Control isn't a firewall!!!
It's software to make the built-in Vista firewall easy to control, hence the name...."Vista Firewall Control".
If you use Vista Firewall Control & turn off the built-in Vista firewall you will not have any firewall protection.
scythe944 says......... "Look, you have a firewall, it comes with Vista.
It doesn't have many bells and whistles, so you can download Vista Firewall Control to add bells and whistles.
If you don't have the firewall turned on, your bells and whistles won't do a darn thing.
Obviously, with my explanation, it should make sense that you can't use a more configurable "control" program, if the thing that you are controlling isn't there.
rdmaloyjr had the right idea
I quoted..(in part)...... "SCYTHE844 - AND - RDMALOYJR - YOU ARE BOTH WRONG !!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is a QUOTE from the Vista Firewall Control home site.............. (
http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/faq.html)
VistaFirewallControl is completely based on Windows Filtering Platform (WFP), and
does not install any third party kernel drivers.
The Built-in Firewall is based on the same WFP as well. The
both products work entirely independently. VistaFirewallControl uses the Built-in Firewall only once, at the first start to grab the initial settings.
Due to complete product independence,
you can switch the Built-in Firewall ON or OFF at your option. (after you install VistaFirewallControl)then you state.......... "On contrary, seems that you're talking all the same. Vista Firewall Control isn't a firewall, just a control tool for the built in Vista firewall.
I can't agree with what you just said............ IF I TAKE ALL THE RESPONSES INTO ONE CONTEXT.
(that's why I decided to quote all these responses into just this one post)
Let me put together, my way, parts of the quote I got from thier website..............
VistaFirewallControl works entirely independently.
VistaFirewallControl does not install any third party kernel drivers.
VistaFirewallControl uses the Built-in Firewall only once, at the first start to grab the initial settings.
Due to complete product independence you can switch the Built-in Firewall ON or OFF at your option.So, once installed, VistaFirewallControl "works independently", allowing you to choose to switch the Built-in Firewall ON or OFF at your option.
Now, because VistaFirewallControl allows me to ENABLE ALL, DISABLE ALL, or "JUST THIS TIME", etc. and allows me to control ALL outbound & inbound data.....
That would indicate that
"for all intents and purposes" that VistaFirewallControl qualifies as a firewall.
For about ten years I used ZoneAlarm Pro. Worked, no great issues. Version 7 (I think) was so buggy I jumped ship.
For about six months I used the OUTPOST PRO (pay) firewall. Worked, no great issues but being a techie was almost a pre-requisite !!!!!!!!!!! (for utmost protection)
For about a year now I have been using COMODO + ONLINE ARMOR FIRWALLs. Worked SUPERB, but you HAVE TO BE A TECHIE !!!!!!! (for utmost protection)
BUT I SPENT SO MUCH TIME ANSWERING QUESTIONS FOR THESE FIREWALLS !!!!!!!!!!!(I own and operate a computer parts/service business so I want to keep my clients and personal data and database secure at all times)
For about a month now I have used VistaFirewallControl and it has (IMHO) LITERALLY performed EQUALLY WELL AS ANY OF THE OTHERS.....
and the BIGGEST BONUS FOR ME is that (thankfully) I only have had to "answer" a COUPLE questions a day.Jeez, although Comodo was truly excellent,
I became to despise it's (seemed like) ONE HUNDRED REQESTS PER DAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!ONE EXAMPLE, WHILE I USED ALL OF THE ABOVE FIREWALLS................... (VistaFirewallControl EXCLUDED)
My anti-virus program, Avira Premium Security Suite (without the firewall installed) creates folders for EACH item that its
WebGuard and MailGuard components perceive as NEW ADDITIONS to its database, EVERY DAY.
All the firewalls I've used REQUEST my approval of said folder creations. Sometimes 20+ per day.
Drove me nuts. Well, VistaFirewallControl allows Avira to create folders for its components WITHOUT my input each time.(Just the initial request per component)
Although, mind you, VistaFirewallControl does catch if any other component wants to do anything further,
as well as it does offer me to allow permissions "PER TIME" vs "ENABLE ALL".
So far, I truly believe VistaFirewallControl is a WINNER.
At least for EASE OF USE.I am however, still trying to research as to
why it has not been submitted to Matousic (or any others) for testing.(take a look at how YOUR firewall is rated -
http://www.matousec.com/projects/proactive-security-challenge/results.php)
I would have no problem to dump it if substantiated data suggests that I do.
Quite simply, though, WHAT A BREATH OF FRESH AIR for me after so darn long having put up with INPUT AFTER INPUT
AFTER INPUT AFTER INPUT, with the others.Maybe or maybe not as secure as the others, but come on, if'n I or you are singled out by some virus or malware,
I am ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED that Avira Anti-Virus products ARE and SHALL REMAIN at the forefront of PROTECTION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If anyone can direct me to ANY reviews or testing articles with regards to VistaFirewallControl, PLEASE do.
At this point, I'm still contemplating if I wish to pay them for what seems to me the only plus in VistaFirewallControlPLUS which is
the feature that I would be able to sort my firewall choices by ZONES and categories rather that viewing only one single
column width list, such as I now see while i'm using the FREE version.
Anyway, sorry for turning this into a novel, but I just gots 'ta say what I gots 'ta say !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am serious, if ANYONE can suggest PRO or CON for VistaFirewallControl I would TRULY appreciate you to take the time to let all of us know.Finally, if ANYONE has paid for the PLUS version, PLEASE share with us what is WORTH paying for.enjoy the long weekend,
Bootchee
.
*** just a note to say that I choose not to use the firewall that comes with the Avira Premium Security Suite because
Matousic rated it so poorly, take a look -
http://www.matousec.com/projects/proactive-security-challenge/results.php.
