I don't trust the built in firewall. I want to be warned every time a program tries to connect to the Internet. So I have tried installing several different firewalls with zero success. The firewalls install OK, but each time I can not browse the Internet after installing the firewall. Browsing is fine before installing but once I install any other firewall all browsing is stopped. Any ideas?

HiI have idea :)Use windows firewall :)If you want better security set advanced firewall options.Open advanced wfw settings from windows start menu -> administrative tools and set custom outbound rule(s)

@Chucklit2 :: If you have set your frewall to maximum security level, then you're blocking both in AND outbound networktraffic, which would result in pretty much all internet traffic being stopped.You need to define rule(s) for specific port(s) in order to make the firewall work the way you stated (... warn on access...)Have you tried to customize any of the firewalls you've used ?

I have tried 3 or 4 different firewalls that all work fine in Windows XP... I set them up exactly the same in Windows 7 with exactly the same results ~ not able to browse. The only difference in install is for Windows 7 I use "Install as Admin" and depending on the firewall - I usually use compatablity mode for Vista. But I have tried over and over installing them in different configurations... with always the same result... browsing fine before firewall installation... afterwards cannot browse...And one more thing... After this happens and I can't browse... I then go back to Windows XP using an Acronis image and I can't browse with XP either at that point... In order to get Windows XP to browse again I have to unplug my cable modem and shut down my Computer, unplug my computer from all power ~ then reconnect everything ~ restart Windows XP and presto... I am back online and able to browse in XP again....

OK... I havea fewfollow-up questions : Do you use a router, or just connect directly to the cable modem ?(And, if you use a router, are there any port rules defined there ? Current with firmware updates ? )And, Is your Win7 configuration using IPv6 ? I haven't had any problems with it, but Soooooo many other posters have reported that networking componenets such as IPv6 and QoS in Win7 are causing them major headaches... So, if your Win7 config is using Ipv6, try to disable that. (I like to do a cold boot after changing network settings, but that's just me {smile} ) Then try your Win7 config again, without and then with your firewall of choice. In general, try to use the most minimal networking components - then you can add things back one at a time, until you identify the failure threshold. If you are resorting to having to power off communication gear, then "something" ain't talking to "something else" nicely... (Probably not a factor, but I'll ask anyway - if you are using 64-bit Win7, is your firewall app also compatible with 64-bit OS ? )Good luck, and I hope this helps !

I agree with Vent. Use the built in Windows Firewall with Advanced Security. Here you can set inbound and outbound (off by default) rules with the same granularity as you can with most all third party firewalls. Click the Start orb, and type firewall in the Start Menu search dialog box. Windows Firewall with Advanced Security will appear towards the top of the search results.

OK... you tell me exactly how to create an outbound rule that when ANY program tries to connect to the Internet that a popup window will appear advising me to either "Allow", "Disallow" or "Make Rule" to always allow or disallow? If that is not possible then Windows 7 firewall is useless to me... In my opinion, this is what is sooo frustrating about support of any kind. Either they don't listen to you or don't read your question.So for those who can't understand without repeating... Once again here are my first two statements:"I don't trust the built in firewall. I want to be warned every time a program tries to connect to the Internet."

Ok. This is not possible with windows firewall :)What firewalls you tested?

I tried Comodo, ESET and ZoneAlarm both the suite and the free version. I was going to try Norton, but when testing Norton 2009 in Windows XP I could never find where to turn on the warnings, it was/is simulair to Windows 7 firewall in that it seems you have to know the name of the file/program before you can make a rule... etc...

Try Outpost Firewall http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost/

ChuckLit2:Have you been able to get any third-party firewall programs to work with Windows 7 Beta or Windows 7 RC yet? If so, let us know which ones are working for you.-Nick

Uninstall the NIC in the Device Manager. Shut the sytem down and unplug it. Let it sit dead and powerlessfor about 2~3 minutes. Plug it back in, turn the system on, and by the time you enter your password and get to the Desktop the NIC will already be re-installed. Good practice to do this especially after installing Antivirus and/or Security applications. If you're going to stick with a 3rd party Firewall, might as well totally disable the Windows Firewall Service in Administrative Tools>Services. Actually,would have been better tohave disabled the Windows Firewall prior to installing the 3rd party Firewall.Plus, you might want to do a ipconfig /release - ipconfig /renew.HTH.GA P35 DQ6 Mb, Intel Wolfdale 8600 3.33Ghz C2D CPU., 4x2Gb Mushkin DDR2 1066 PC2 8500 Ascents Memory Mods., PNY-nVidia GE Force 8800 GTS (640MB), 4-Western Digital Caviar SATA(2) HDD's (internal), 1 EIDE-USB External; Hauppauge PVR 1600 TV tuner, Dual Monitor: (1) Standard up top, (1) WideScreen below; Altec Lansign Speakers...

I am using the Windows 7 firewall with no problems. I found that an easy way to control outbound activity is to install a program called Vista Firewall Control. It can be downloaded from http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/ After installing running any app that tries to access the internet will cause a pop-up box to appear for the user to allow or deny the internet activity. Once this has been set, it does not happen again for the same app - you can also "Allow Once" if desired. Nice part about this is that it is free. When my NIS subscription expires on my VISTA partition, I may well use this instead, combined with Avira Anti-Virus (also free) and Windows Defender. I have had no problems connecting to the internet with Win 7. I connect the an Actiontec router supplied as part of my Verizon FIOS subscription.Windows 7 beta dual booting with VISTA Home Premium 2 GB memory 160 HD Gateway Laptop HP Officejet 6310 All-in One inkjet printer Verizon FIOS Internet Connection

Did you verify that the firewall isn't blocking your web browser? Believe it or not, it doesn't ask your permission to do so, so it has happened and will happen.