i am a mac user who uses windows from time to time and i wonder what software you can recommend as a replacement for little snitch on windows.

after looking at some of them they all seem to be either scam ("free" firewall apps where the firewall features requries you to pay a monthly fee) or offer only relatively useless features.

the typical windows network filter seems to work like that:

- all outgoing ports are open and you can not change this

- "if you see something suspicious you can block the app or adress"

- the latter requires you to click 6-8 times with the mouse to find the respective entry in the 3rd submenu

sorry, but what is this is bullshit.

a proper network filter will

- close everything

- automatically open up a window for every outgoing task

- and wait for you to approve the task or save a setting for this app and/or adress before the task is allowed or blocked

i am sure there is something for windows, too, but i have no idea searching on my own.

 

I think this is what you are searching for:
https://www.henrypp.org/product/simplewall

 

i just installed portmaster (as last attempt), it also has at least an option for "default action: prompt" - but why the heck is that not default and why do i have to search such basic functions for 2 minutes...

 

An advanced firewall, which also prompt if a driver is loaded and it's free: zonealarm free firewall and antivirus.
If you are willing to use it pm me I'll explain the best way to take advantage of it.

 

Last edited: Nov 4, 2021

I use 3 tools to do a bit of what Little Snitch does so well. I have written the company numerous times begging for a version for Windows. I use FreeFirewall as it allows me to block by domain and ip address, I use Netlimiter Pro to control traffic in general, and I use Windows firewall in advanced mode as it loads before the others. Someday I believe Netlimiter Pro will be the Windows Little Snitch as they keep working at a user friendly interface with power under the hood. Just my 2 cents so far

 

https://www.heise.de/download/product/windows-firewall-control-93925

medium filtering and only your allowed programs will be able to connect

 

If you are talking GUI probably not.

Wireshark if you want to deep dive even further than little snitch at a microscopic level. If you understand routing and network topology this will probably more to your liking. If you prefer GUI only, no.

https://www.wireshark.org

 

Nice!!!

 

I use it. It's great & the best thing is it's open source. I tried Comodo firewall and Zonealarm Firewall but they were more than what I needed.

 

what you want is this
https://www.binisoft.org/wfc
malewarebytes has bought it
but still support this (free) version

it is basicly just a layer over the win. firewall

and it enables you to have (if you want) granular controll over what gets in or out!
and practicly no system (performance) impact

dont think it gets better than this

 

I'll let it speak for itself. Used industry-wide on any O/S and most networks. And it is free.

 

Simplewall is fast, free, portable, easy. https://www.henrypp.org/product/simplewall
Blocks all windows telemetry out of the box

 

can't believe no one has recommended this yet but... comodo: Comodo Firewall | Get Best Personal Firewall Software for $29.99 A Year

it has a free version which is great.

 

haha turned on "prompt me" in portmaster and then it didnt prompt me anything at all.

the little icon in the task bar then did no longer open the app, so that i could not turn network on again. since there is no deinstaller and i have no idea where it as installed, i had to turn it off again.

that´s exactly the nonsense i hate so much on windows OS.

thanks for the recommendation so far, will check them out tomorrow.

 

yep, this is what i want to see on my screen: show me what happens and let me create a new rule by one click, whenever something new happens.

 

Three options
Malwarebytes FREE Windows Firewall Control
or
Get an old PC and install Smoothwall Express - doesn't need a high spec computer
or
Both of the above (that's what I use).

 

That's exactly how zonealarm works.

 

and, at first, its a packet analyzer, no firewall, no packet blocker, just inspection of the network packets. sure, its able to filter like god himself, but it filters to SHOW you some packets, reassemble their content, and presents you a nice view of the network traffic. for firewall-like usage its simply not feasible.

 

Im surprised no one mentioned Glasswire?
https://www.glasswire.com/

Its subscription based but there are cracks available for it around the web...

 

+1 for wfc
- I particularly like the "one click" allow/block for certain time feature. When I have my "home" IP, I let certain update and such programs to go through. Then I change the IP and go surfing the wild wide web with everything blocked (it reverts the rule)..
- check for duplicate, invalid, particular.. rules, logs and whatnot
- the fact that it is not another firewall on your sys but just a simple, effective interface for the existing one
- free

wireshark and glasswire are great progs.. but I don't see them as a simple firewall manager (didn't use them much tho..)