I know this message may not seem as polite as it could be, but no hostility is meant and I honestly believe that the people DO NEED to hear this, because frankly, people like me are sick and tired of asking something, only to have it never get answered and turn into someone's thread to boast about what they think everyone should do. So I humbly and respectfully request that you let this message through, as I do have a request in here.
So please don't take this message to be intended as rude, but I just wish to save us all a lot of time, because most people don't bother to read carefully, nor do most offer any actual help, but rather, just want to show how smart they think they are. I'm sorry, but that's the way it is in forums and I have been searching for two days for answers to my situation and literally 95% of the responses on various forums, were from people not caring what the person wanted, or just flat out being rude, or only trying to impress themselves.
So if you're not going to specifically answer their specific request, with what they requested, then why answer at all?
In other words, don't worry about how you think they should run their system. Why can't you just answer their question and be done with it? Or if you can't, then don't respond. What in folks makes them think this is their opportunity to start an argument over how I run my system?!
So anyway, please, please, please, read my request carefully and please help me with what I actually requested info on. That is all I'm asking and frankly, it is a shame when so much of this crap goes on, that people actually have to start a request like this!
And please allow me to say up front, what I am NOT looking for, to save us all a lot of time:
1) I cannot use Comodo. I know many will be offended and think that means that they should attack me, but I'm not able to use it, period! When I try to install it, it stops my startup entries from running and my computer stops responding properly. And whether the Comodo fans want to hear it or not, this does happen on a lot of systems and the various forums will bear that out. So I don't care how well it works for you. It does not work for me. And no, that doesn't mean that you should tell me it's all my fault and my system needs to be redone, just to please your favorite app. And yes, people have been saying that kind of garbage to folks!
I cannot use the built in Windows firewall. It does not handle individual apps going out, only coming in.
2) Please do not tell about how I don't need a software firewall and should just use my router. That will not solve my problem and you are not helping, when you're not answering my question and think you know better than I do what I need. I'm not asking you to configure my system. I'm asking you for a software firewall recommendation for my OS, that's all.
The fact is, that hardware routers are not good setups for blocking specific apps from calling out to the Internet, period, end of story and I will not argue about it. There are people who need this feature and you folks keep telling them to use a router, even after they tell you this and that's ridiculous!
3) I do not want a software firewall that is complicated to use and takes time to set up each app, blah, blah, blah.
4) Please do not tell me about how I wouldn't need it, if I had a properly maintained system for malware, etc.. That's, frankly, is a load of crap! My system is configured properly! But sometimes apps do phone home and it doesn't appear to be malware and so, no alarms are triggered by that type of utility.
5) I do not want to go through hours and hours of configuring my system the way someone else thinks makes it "airtight". You have yours the way you want it. Fine. I'm happy for you. But I don't care what you want. I am requesting what I want.
And so now, for what I DO WANT.
I would like please, some suggestions for the following simple features, that will work under XP64.
I am looking for a software firewall and I don't care about all of the high tech features. All I need it to do, is operate the way that ZoneAlarm and PCTools do while running in the system tray, when a program tries to access the web, or for an incoming request.
In other words, a little popup appears and asks me if I want to allow or block it and has a check box to "remember" my choice for that one app and it's that simple, over and done with, period and it never bothers me again for that particular app/util. And that's ALL I NEED!
I would also like it if it has the way cool little red & green bars for inbound and outbound traffic in the tray icon, so that I can see what's going on. I am currently using OutPost, but it does not and that is kind of annoying.
Again, please, this request is not about you strutting your stuff in front of everyone. This is about helping me with my specific request. So if you're not interested in responding to my specific request, then please don't respond at all. There's no need to, right?
But fortunately, I know that there are some good, kind people in here, eager to help and so, I hope it is those whom I make contact with.
As the title suggests and as I said, I need one that will work in XP64. ZoneAlarm won't, nor will PCTools.
And as I said, I am currently using OutPost, which is nice, but lacks the ease of use features for the things I use it for. I get no feedback from the tray icon showing communication and it isn't that great about how one handles the popups.
Now I know there's a lot of people out there who use the more complex functions of a firewall, but I don't. I ONLY want it to ask me about inbound/outbound traffic when a program tries to access my system from the web, or tries to call out to the web. There are a lot of games out there, that "dial home" after install, but that don't act like malware (bear in mind that even uninfected programs that you just bought will many times contact the company to verify you, without you even knowing it) and I wish to be able to block that instantly, as I don't like info about me being sent to people, as I'm sure none of us do.
So are there any suggestions, please? And thanks up front to those who sincerely wish to help me! I really mean that!!!
And again Admin, I'm sorry for the tone of this in some places. I really do not mean any disrespect, nor any offense. I'm just so tired of people doing what they want and then getting upset when the person who asked for help asks why everyone is ignoring his/her actual request and then those people actually having the nerve to get ticked off at the person, because they had the gall to actually ask for help with what they asked for help with! These people think everyone should wipe and redo their systems the way they want them and that of course, is only after they have to buy the hardware they tell them to! It is just ridiculous!
Anyway, have a nice day folks! Hahaha!
Dave
