Recommend a firewall for windows

Sticker@lemy.nl to Open Source@lemmy.ml – 9 points –

I'm used to using the TrackerControl app on my phone. This application is convenient and multifunctional.

Is there something similar for windows?

12

Windows comes with quite the advanced firewall built in. Why not use that?

The built in firewall is proprietary, which is enough of a reason to prefer a free software alternative.

What's the point? Any free software alternatives will still rely on the proprietary TCP/IP stack in Windows.

The point of software freedom is, and has been for the last 40 years, the four freedoms. Replacing proprietary software with a free alternative is always worth it, in my opinion.

Sure, ideally the entire operating system would be replaced with a free alternative, but not everyone is willing or able to make such a big change right out of the gate. Windows users deserve freedom, too. The FSF calls this "climbing the freedom ladder".

A firewall blocks in and outbound ports. Windows Advanced Firewall already does this.

If you want more fine-grained control, look to your router. I use a Netgate pfSense rackmount appliance. You can do the same with an OpenSense or pfSense router running on a toaster.

Be glad to help if you have questions!

Tell me, through which program can I install programs with the iso extension?

PfSense has an iso extension. I tried the WindowsCE utility, but only achieved that the files contained in the iso are unpacked as a regular archive.

You could set up a pi-hole on your router to get a similar effect to tracker control on all devices connected to the internet through the router.

https://pi-hole.net/

Pi-hole is great but is for dns and is easy to avoid if client change default dns. Simplewall is better for granularity in windows.