Windows 7 Firewall incompatibility

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hello!

I need to set some outbound rules for some programs in Windows 7 Firewall and have first tested it on Firefox, but it would not block it from accessing the internet.

I’ve read some stuff about it and it came to my attention that it’s about some incompatibility with Avast (something about proxy stuff).

Is there a workaround, what can I do to properly block a program using built-in Windows firewall and keep my PC safe with Avast?

Thank you!

2

Hello and welcome to the forums. There is NO incompatibility with Windows 7 Firewall and Avast. Unless you have created special rules with Windows 7 Firewall. I myself use Windows 7 Firewall with Advanced Security and there is no incompatibility. Thanks.

3

See – Windows firewall & avast 7/8 - rules to block internet in the windows firewall don’t work with the web shield enabled.
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=93953.msg768135#msg768135

Avast version 7 uses supported API of Windows 7, that is created solely for the purpose of redirecting network connections. It uses it to redirect connections. It is new in avast7, however Windows7 is not such a brand new OS and the redirect api (REDIRECT layers in WFP) are there since the Win7 launch (2 years? More?). There is no other supported way of doing it.
Also see http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=127329.msg953770#msg953770 info on the webshieldfilter.exe tool and how to use.
4

This is a known issue.

That is exactly what he is saying, he has created rules to block access to the internet in the win7 firewall, but the win7 firewall doesn’t get a look in as they sail through the web shield proxy unmolested. The avastSvc.exe has to be allowed internet access and the win7 doesn’t identify what process traffic is redirected through the proxy, just the proxy.

5

I am of the belief That if you need to block anything on your computer at all then it should not be installed.
If you distrust any internet connections that any of your installed programs are making then uninstall the programs in question.
This paranoia has got to the level where people are not even trusting the very company(microsoft) which creates our operating system.

Why on earth would i wish to block the browser…?

Thanks.

6

Regardless of your thoughts, it is the OP asking the question on how to do it.

There are many instances where you might want to stop a program (or element of it) connecting to the internet. Funny one I stop my firewall feedback.exe function from connecting. I can think of other instances, I stop speccy having internet access, there are probably others, but all it does it show there are exceptions to every rule.

7

That was back in 2012. I have no such problems.

8

The windows7 firewall (or avast) hasn’t changed in that regard otherwise why would the OP be reporting this.

9

Thank you, David, as always, for your help! :slight_smile:

Can anyone please tell me more about that tool, how exactly do I use it regarding setting up outbound rules for Win7 FW?

10

Follow this guide.

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=239750

11

You’re welcome.

Sorry I can’t give any more information on using the command line tool other what is in that link with the quote from lukor as I have never had to use it. My firewall, Agnitum’s ‘Outpost Firewall Pro’ has had no problem with these issues of blocking applications/processes connecting, even if they would have been redirected through the web shield proxy.

12

The comodo firewall is not having these issues either.
I experienced no issues what so ever when running comodo firewall 5.12 and avast free.

13

This is about Windows Firewall. Thanks. No need to promote Comodo. The current version of Comodo is 6.2

14

You are incorrect dear boy.!
Comodo has been cited on several occasions in regard to this issue so it is very much pertinent to the discussion in hand.

15

You have been told that this topic has absolutely nothing to do with other firewalls it is about the Windows firewall and the avast firewall. The only one that mentioned anything about comodo firewall in this topic is you.

All you have done in this topic is drive it off topic, stay on topic or don’t contribute.

16

Thank you David.

17

Thank you for your citation.
I am aware that this is a thread concerning the windows firewall,However it must be stated that this issue has manifested itself in other firewalls also.
I am sorry but you simply must include other firewalls affected and it is not just windows firewall that was affected.

Are you implying that windows firewall is the only firewall affected by the avast webshield.???
If so then i stand corrected and retract my previous comments.

Could you clarify then please that windows firewall is indeed the only firewall affected…?

Thank you.

18

Well this is why version 9 will be more then welcome for many users that use WF. I personally can’t wait to have version 9 and enjoy the built in firewall in windows 7/8 since offer a good protection without any incompatibility or without any slowdown. As for other firewalls don’t know, personally I start to rely on WF since offer a good control(manual yeah that’s true but good if you know how to manage it)

19

This topic as stated is about the Windows firewall and the avast firewall there are many other such topics and they include other firewalls. That is where you should address that not here.

20

I’m not really following the development of Avast, so please tell me - are there plans of solving the incompatibility with Windows 7 Firewall (outbound protection) anytime soon?