14 DAY TRIAL // Although it has taken a huge step in the computer protection delivered via the operating system, the firewall securing Windows Vista is not at all one you can put your trust in. There are still flaws in it and the safeguard of your computer is still at risk. Third party software is definitely a wise choice when it comes to computer protection.
And the choices come flowing as there are multiple alternatives from various lead producers at the moment. A firewall is desirable as it can handle both inbound and outbound connections. This way you will have control over the applications trying to connect to your computer as well as those attempting to connect to a remote source from your computer.
A firewall is designed to permit you to choose which applications are allowed to make inbound/outbound connections and more advanced products even let you set the communication ports and leave only some of them open. This way, the chances for your computer to become a "zombie" and cast out e-mails behind your back become very slim.
Sphinx Software came up with an improved alternative of Vista Firewall designed to let you handle the way various applications connect to the Internet and warn you the first time one of them is attempting to chat without your knowledge.
The price of the application may seem quite high, but when you think about $50 split three ways it just sounds like a bargain. But before buying the application you may want to test it first and from where I stand, there is no problem here as I could find absolutely no restriction imposed by the developer save the registration screen that nags you every once in a while.
Taking a look at the name of the application one would think that the interface integrates perfectly in Vista and the looks are at least equal to Vista's standards. Unfortunately, things are different and the interface does not measure up Vista's expectations. To tell you the truth, the looks are crappy and this appearance would have fit Windows XP, but not Microsoft's Wow.
However, when trying out a firewall is not looks that should let you down, but its functionality. Under this aspect, Vista Firewall Control Plus has no reserves and every time you start an application that tries to connect to the Internet, you will be notified and asked for permission.
The options are not complicated at all and even a beginner could handle them with no problems. The three tabs in the main application window will show you the programs that have been filtered through the firewall and their status.
Zones tab is particularly interesting as it contains a series of rules for different applications. These are predefined sets of network rules applied to the applications in the Programs tab. Each and every zone can be customized the way the user desires by means of creating rules.
Settings area is reserved for configuring the behavior of the software for initially detected applications (defining the zone they should be included in by default at first), enable/disable pop-up alert at new detected applications, show Log Balloon and disable or enable the Custom Theme of the software (my vote definitely goes for disabling it).
Zones is the most important tab of the three as it allows you to situate an application between certain permission or prohibition parameters. The preset zones will come in handy to a beginner users as they cover lots of areas, like email, FTP, web browser, LAN Incoming/Outgoing, etc. Handling them is easy, provided that you know what you are doing and the flexibility of the software goes as far as letting you add new zones, delete the existing ones or edit them.
There is no doubt that, in order to get the best and not create a chaos of rules, every zone must have a distinct name fitting the parameters it is configured for. The options for creating the rules vary from protocol selection, host, address, mask, local port, direction (incoming, outgoing or both), and result (enable or disable, which translates in allowing or restricting the access via the defined parameters). There is no limit to the number of rules of a certain zone, so you can make as many as you want.
Vista Firewall Control Plus will put you through a lot of hassle only at the beginning, as you open the Internet connecting applications. By default, the zone's action for every newly detected application is Disable All. After making the necessary adjustments, you will have to restart that application for the settings to take effect. Also, after the first reboot of the machine, you will be prompted with other pop ups for the different connections of the system.
The great thing about this firewall is that it'll provide you with precious details about the connecting applications for a fast recognition. Thus it'll display a number of details leading to identifying the application. Also, if you don't want to give a process full permission to connect outside your computer you can allow it to do it only for the current launch.
The Good
Vista Firewall Control Plus is extremely easy to configure and use and during our tests, it performed beautifully. It also allows you full control over the Internet connections initiated by various applications.
I had to put it to some tests to see if there are any leaks and big surprise...it passed all of them and did not permit information leak from the test computer.
The Bad
The interface needs a touch or two of color. The application is designed to work on Vista but the looks don't show this one bit. The icons in Programs list are horribly presented and the Custom Theme is just crap.
If you kill the process and service from Task Manager you will have trouble connecting new applications to the Internet. The only way is to keep it enabled so that you can impose your own rules. Of course, this is available only if you maintain the default zone to Disable All because changing it to any other zone will have the effect imposed by the rules of the zone.
The Truth
I think this may be the best firewall I tested up to now. There aren't complicated options as in other products of the same category, but it simply blocks the unwanted connections without asking any questions.
It needs a lot of work in what concerns the looks of the interface; but if you get over the aesthetics and the selling strategies, you will discover that it does its job right.
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
