this post was submitted on 20 Feb 2024
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I'm used to using the TrackerControl app on my phone. This application is convenient and multifunctional.

Is there something similar for windows?

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 8 months ago

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!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (2 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 0 points 8 months ago

What about windows 7?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 8 months ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

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".

[–] [email protected] 0 points 8 months ago
[–] [email protected] 0 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

https://safing.io/

Does a lot more than TrackerControl as it's a full firewall. TrackerControl is just DNS blocking.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 8 months ago (1 children)

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/

[–] [email protected] 0 points 8 months ago

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.