The Portable Freeware Collection Forums

Moderator note: this thread was split off from the related Outpost Security Suite FREE thread.

---

The Windows Firewall (Vista/7) is Powerful, yet by default, outbound connections are allowed.

You simply need to Block Outbound connections: "Outbound connections that do not match a rule are blocked"

This is the "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security".

Click your start orb and type firewall and choose 'Windows Firewall with Advanced Security'.
Or type wf.msc > Enter to go directly to the Snap-In.

In the Snap-In|Overview see which 'Profile' is active.
Click 'Windows Firewall Properties', choose a Profile and block 'Outbound connections' then 'Apply'.
In the left tree of the Snap-In choose 'Monitoring' > 'Firewall' and see if your program is listed.
In the left tree of the Snap-In choose 'Outbound Rules' and to the right 'New Rule'.
More than likely you'll be adding a 'Program' (*.exe), just 'Browse' for the Program path (i.e. C:\Path\to\opera.exe )

Rules are predefined for everything the system needs, so this is mostly for 3rd party apps that do not apply rules when run/installed as an Admin.

To quickly add a program to the exceptions list, you can create a shortcut on your desktop; Location >
C:\Windows\System32\FirewallSettings.exe
After launch choose the exceptions tab.

For the shortcut Location (alternative) you could add >
rundll32 firewall.cpl,ShowControlPanel 1
which will open in the exceptions tab, (You might need to run as Admin).

There's also a program (Free/Portable) by 'Sphinx Software' to help with Windows Firewall.
Windows 7 (used to be Vista) Firewall Control.
http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/

@ Ruby

Excellent Tip!
i would love to use Windows Firewall, but that was one of the "cons".
The fact that i thought it wasn't a 2-way firewall.
But you have clarified the truth for me

I truly hate installing 3rd party software that is not absolutely required.

That's 1 more app. i can bypass when my Kaspersky license runs out

All that's left is a decision on a good, light Anti-Virus.

I read about Microsoft Security Essentials, it's free and supposedly it does an OK job.

The off-topic information (post 3 onwards) is very useful and informative

Could the topic name be changed so more people can benefit?

NickR wrote:The off-topic information (post 3 onwards) is very useful and informative

Could the topic name be changed so more people can benefit?

Sounds good. Splitting topic...