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I've used Windows Firewall for my whole life but I'm curious if anyone has any recommendations for a solid FOSS replacement. I do still use Windows on one of my systems on a daily basis but I always try to replace as much as possible with FOSS alternatives.
Any suggestions for a good FOSS alternative for Windows Firewall (and not at the router level)?
No, "just use Linux" is not a suggestion. I already do use Linux, but there are some things I do have to use Windows for.
I like Simplewall.
By default, it blocks everything and shows you a popup whenever an app or service tries to make a connection, similar to LittleSnitch for MacOS if you're familiar with that.
The first few minutes can be a bit annoying as you figure out just how many background services in Windows are trying to phone home, but after that, great peace of mind knowing nothing will talk to the internet without you knowing.
Definitely overkill for most users, but if you don't mind the initial burden, highly recommend.
If you're going to use Windows ... just use Windows firewall. There's no real reason that I can think of anyways to replace that one component with something FOSS.
I suppose there's not really a crucial reason but I just like to do so when I can. More peace of mind that way.
AFAIK, Windows firewall is perfectly fine, usable in commercial spaces, etc. You're probably going to be getting into more "hobbyist" firewalls even if you do find one ... and a firewall isn't something you particularly want that with. You want something that's well designed and well maintained.
(I say this as a guy that has run Linux on basically everything for ... over a decade)
TinyWall, Simplewall
Seconding Simplewall, it really just works.
Have you checked this thread?
I hadn't, my apologies for missing that.
I just wanted to point out, no need to apologize! Hopefully you find something suitable for you.
Complete alternative to windows firewall or a nice GUI for that?
Nicer GUI there's https://github.com/wokhan/WFN
Full firewall I think you would need to run openwrt or opnsense in a VM in hyperv set to run automatically in background at boot
How many FOSS Linux firewalls are there? Let’s see, we have iptables and there’s nftables.
Just disable the services you do not want to expose. Windows firewalls are a security risk with no real benefits.
Lol
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