Windows Firewall Control (WFC) by BiniSoft.org

This option is added to 5.3.0.0 (it seems so), it is not found in 5.0.2.0:

Your mistake is that you do not backup the rules of the Windows Firewall either through the WFC interface or through the Registry.
Most likely, you use v5.0.2.0, in which there are no protection options, or v5.3 ... with disabled options.

 

supposed to , they bought it for that.

 

My bad, I was still using an older version. Apologies to alexandrud, he already mentioned the "Secure Profiles" feature but I missed it. I will perhaps test it again with TinyWall and see what happens.

 

Windows Firewall Control v.5.4.0.0

Change log:
- New: The notifications system is now available for free and the program does not require activation anymore.
- New: The installer and the files are now digitally signed.
- Updated: A new EULA is available when installing the software.
- Reverted: Secure Rules feature was reverted to the old implementation from version 5.0.2.0. The implementation from versions 5.1.x.x-5.3.x.x creates too many problems than it solves.
- Fixed: Under certain circumstances, Connections Log displays nothing in Windows 10.
- Fixed: 'Use proxy configuration' is checked even if the user presses the Cancel button in the proxy configuration dialog.

Download location: https://www.binisoft.org/download/wfc5setup.exe
SHA1: a610b5af50fc1ca0d999b02f95efbd43598964f1
SHA256: fe81a44112861276af83fdbcfe1a86bcd641df93781d016d9b5978830fd011ef

Best regards,
Alexandru

Note: This version can not update any previous version. You can uninstall the old version and choose the third option to keep your rules and settings. Then install the new version and enjoy.

Changes to the translation file:

Added
456 = Authorized groups
457 = Add group
458 = Remove group
459 = Define here a new authorized group"
460 = Warning. All firewall rules, including Windows Firewall default firewall rules, which have the group name different than the authorized groups defined will be deleted or disabled. Creating a backup copy of your current rules is recommended. Are you sure you want to continue?"
461 = Import group names from the current existing rules"
466 = Rules with no group defined were detected. To preserve them, do you want to add these rules to Windows Firewall Control group before enabling Secure rules?
467 = Authorize group

Modified
455 = Enable protection against firewall rules that are not created in the authorized groups defined below. This applies to the newly created firewall rules and to existing ones.

Removed
218 = The notifications system is available only for registered users. In order to use this feature please activate the program. Thank you for your support.
219 = Click here to find how to become a registered user
480 = Toggle Secure Rules
481 = Secure Rules is now enabled
482 = Secure Rules is now disabled
609 = Activation status
610 = Product Activated
611 = Product not activated
612 = Thank you for your support
613 = Click here to activate
614 = Below is your Installation ID which was automatically generated at installation of this program. Please insert in the textbox below the corresponding activation code and then press on the Activate button to activate the product. To get the corresponding activation code please log in into your registered user account from the website.
615 = Click here to open the login page
616 = Installation ID
617 = Activation code
618 = Activate
619 = Copy to clipboard
620 = Paste from clipboard
696 = Activation code must have 16 characters
697 = Invalid activation code. Make sure you have the corresponding activation code for this version of the program.
698 = The activation code is valid
955 = Delete the activation status

 

- Reverted: Secure Rules... Guess I'll be sticking with 5.3.1.0, sigh...

Edit: Where can I download 5.3.1.0, I'd like to make a backup of it, also what's this new EULA" I'd like to read without installing the new version.

 

As usual, older downloads are located here:
https://binisoft.org/download/old/5310/wfc5setup.exe

The new EULA is similar to other Malwarebytes products and had to be changed from the original EULA which had 7 lines. The EULA is available only when you install the software.

 

Many thanks for the update alexandrud. As for the EULA, it now adheres to the Malwarebytes Privacy Policy. A lot of data collection seems to be going on there, so it would be nice to know exactly what applies to Windows Firewall Control. For example, is it now the same as installing "Malwarebytes for Windows"?

 

That's what concerns me as well, and it's not like you can block this via a Firewall rule, because it can be baked right in with a backdoor set to allow and not notify the user.

Anyway, as a registered user there doesn't seem to be any reason to upgrade from 5.3.1.0 since it loses a useful feature and gained a... signed installer. Now I'm just worried that his site will go eventually along with the "My Account" page to prevent future activation of an old version...

 

Anyone cares to explain the difference between Secure Rules 5.0.2.0 vs Secure Rules 5.3.1.0?

 

In short, the "old" system can allow rules to be created by other programs keeping them disabled, while the "new" system is more strict and does not allow rule creation from other programs at all, which can cause issues in some cases (especially Windows 10). Now the "old" becomes "new" again and I think the 5.0.2.0/5.4.0.0 system is preferable.

There are a few annoying applications that aggressively insist on creating/enabling their rules every time they run and this is one case where the 5.1/5.3 system is preferable. However, these are usually badly designed programs and are best left uninstalled (or you can just give up and allow the rules).

 

Thanks for the info, AmigaBoy! I guess it depends on how severe these issues are then.

P.S.: Thanks for the new version, alexandrud!

 

And Steam is one of those badly designed programs... but you can't really get around it and uninstall that for an alternative.

 

I'm a little confused with the secure rules setting. It seems to delete most of the rules including some of the ones that are present when you restore recommended rules in the rules panel. Is this intentional or should I restore recommended rules after this has deleted most of the rules listed?

 

What does it mean, are the program totaly for free now or what?

 

It means exactly what it says.

 

475 = Delete unauthorized rules
476 = Disable unauthorized rules
477 = Allow Windows Store rules

 

@alexandrud
Does the WFC now collect telemetry or personal data? What is the purpose of the new mbcut.dll, mbcut32.dll, Newtonsoft.Json.dll?

 

Yes, you were faster

Additionally:

456 is changed, not added.

459, 460, 461 has a " at the end, which is not correct.

Edit:

For the user of the german language file:

The translation file is already sent to the developer and should be ready on binisoft.org very soon!

//

Für die Benutzer der deutschen Sprachdatei:

Die Übersetzungs-Datei ist bereits an den Entwickler gesendet und sollte sehr bald auf binisoft.org bereitstehen!

Alpengreis
Maintainer of WFC DE-Translation file

 

Give it away?
Thats a kick in the butt for people that paid.

 

Windows Firewall Control is now free
August 01, 2018
https://www.ghacks.net/2018/08/01/windows-firewall-control-is-now-free/

 

The times changes. Also I still have a good feeling for my small two investments to help for this sensfully project. This money is NOT lost for me because WFC became a great product.

 

Wow just wow.

I can't believe how negativism some people have in here / sigh.

Wow!

 

As a registered user I don't feel that way. I got to use the registered version for a long time, and I supported its' development.

 

The internal updater said the old version had to be uninstalled manually. So, uninstalled 5.3.1.0 and installed 5.4.0.0 - reboot not required

 

Interesting news today. Few Windows firewall-additions have the goods this one is proven to carry for users. This front-end is been a really popular item for quite some time.