Windows 7 already has a built in default, free and powerfull firewall. And while Windows 7 now allows you to access the advanced settings, including configuration of filtering for outbound connections, through its Control Panel, Management Console, Netsh utility, or the Group Policy Editor, many would wish for a simple interface from where they could manage the firewall.
Windows Firewall Control is a small, intuitive and easy to use program that runs in taskbar, next to the system clock, and provides quick access to the most frequent options used from Windows Firewall. This is the best tool to manage the native firewall in Windows Vista and 7.
Windows Firewall Control offers access to four filtering modes, each with their own status icon in system tray, and different functionality:
- High Filtering. All outgoing connections are blocked. Neither of programs can not initiate outgoing connections. This setting blocks all attempts to connect to and from your computer. With this setting, you aren’t notified when Windows Firewall blocks programs, and programs in the list of allowed programs are ignored.
- Medium Filtering. Outgoing connections that do not match a rule are blocked. Only programs you allow can initiate outgoing connections. If you want to allow a program to communicate through the firewall, you can add it to the list of allowed programs. For example, you might not be able to send photos in an instant message until you add the instant messaging program to the list of allowed programs.
- Low Filtering. Outgoing connections that do not match a rule are allowed. You can block the programs you do not want to allow to initiate outgoing connections. If you want to block a program to communicate through the firewall, you can add it to the list of blocked programs. For example, you might want to block an instant messaging program so just add the program to the list of blocked programs.
- No Filtering. Windows Firewall is turned off. Avoid using this setting unless you have another firewall running on your computer. Turning off Windows Firewall might make your computer (and your network, if you have one) more vulnerable to damage from hackers and malicious software.
The Windows explorer shell integration into the right click menu of the executable files is a really handy feature!
Most of us Windows 7 or Windows Vista users may not dont feel the need for such a utility, but if you are one who does, you definitely want to check out Windows Firewall Control.
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