Greetings. This is for Windows XP-SP3 Users, who are looking for free substitutes to the built-in Windows Firewall, which they desire to be able to manually block outgoing traffic. I'm no expert but such firewalls should be:
A. | Free alternative for WinXP-SP3. Open-source and freeware are desirable but freemium will do. No shareware and time-restricted demo or trial which stop all functionality after expiration. For freemium, there should be no online activation nuisance as we just want the free features right away, thus offline installation is possible. |
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B. | At least can manually block outgoing traffic, by letting the User choose what he wants to block or not, like by selecting specific apps he so wishes. Per item blocking is a must. I don't care for now about the other features it may have. This is needed for those annoying freemium apps which constantly try to connect to the internet after running and closing them. |
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C. | Preferably should be newer than Windows XP-SP3, which is 2007. It doesn't matter if it is no longer developed or discontinued. I'm not sure, but I think the last update Windows Firewall got was during SP2. So 2008 and above are probably good. |
I'll add new ones as I find them in the future, therefore I may update this post even after years have passed. Note that official homepages might already be dead but I included them nonetheless. I will try to list alternative sites if possible. If the links are all extinct, try searching at download sites like FileHippo, Softpedia, AfterDawn, MajorGeeks, etc.
- 7.0.0.123
- PC Tools
- freemium
- 2010
- ~9.8 MB setup
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Requires no restarting of Windows XP after its installation is done. Will inquire the User of programs which are attempting to auto-access the internet and those which use or modify other programs. User may opt to block or allow these. This firewall has a simplified GUI, is easy to use, and ideal for starters.
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Sunbelt Personal Firewall |
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Has similar features to PC Tools above. Manual blocking of outbound items is also possible but needs more steps to do. Setup allows the User to try the app as full version for 30 days. After the time period, it automatically disables some functionality. Clicking on those disabled options pops up a nag screen. It should have been grayed out instead.
Manual blocking of outbound items is possible but moderately difficult to do than the earlier two firewalls. ZoneAlarm consumes the most virtual memory and hard disk space. For a freemium app, it has the most protection options available especially since Sunbelt's full capabilities have expiration. Not recommended for beginners who just want our 3 criteria satisfied.
Manual blocking of outbound items and preventing programs from manipulating others are possible but most difficult or confusing of all. For a freeware, I think this app is attractive to advanced Users, particularly for its small resources usage yet many advanced features and options. Not recommended for beginners who just want our 3 criteria fulfilled.
I suggest, especially for beginners, to use PC Tools first. When you reached boredom and overfamiliarity after long usage thus craving for more functionalities, then you might like to try the other ones.
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