Solved

Windows 8 and Firewall settings in WSA

  • 6 February 2013
  • 30 replies
  • 149 views

Userlevel 5
Badge +24
I have upgraded to windows 8 and the firewall configuration options in wsac dissapeared.
http://i.imgur.com/LEbbEKM.jpg
 
what has gone wrong?
icon

Best answer by JimM 8 February 2013, 00:11

View original

30 replies

Userlevel 7
Badge +56
Please see this thread: http://community.webroot.com/t5/Webroot-SecureAnywhere-Complete/Options-completely-missing-from-program/m-p/17518#M1586
 
TH
Userlevel 5
Badge +24
But it would have been convinient if it have those options..
Windows firewall is not so user friendly to get control over..
Can we expect it back in future upgrades?
Userlevel 7
Badge +56
I'm not sure but you can add an Idea in https:///t5/ideas/v2/ideaexchangepage/blog-id/Ideas/tab/most-recent or a Webroot Staff member will reply.
 
TH
Userlevel 5
Badge +24
I did post that as an Idea.. would like to hear more on this from the concerned.. It is a must have feature for me..
Userlevel 7
Badge +56
Great I kudo it already but since all 3 versions have the firewall maybe you can remove the WSAC?
 
TIA,
 
TH
Userlevel 5
Badge +24
done!
Userlevel 5
Badge +24
Meanwhile those who want to gain more flexible control over windows firewall and improve its functionalities
Try these tools..
Windows firewall control
http://www.binisoft.org/wfc.php
Windows7Firewallcontrol
http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/index.html
Userlevel 7
Windows 8 presents certain technological limitations to our current firewall implementation and we are evaluating our options in light of those limitations. The operating system itself is locked down in certain respects that limit what third-party firewalls are capable of, which is why you don't see some of the features in Windows 8 that you would otherwise see in older versions of Windows.
Userlevel 5
Badge +24
May be you could redo the part some thing like wfc do
http://www.binisoft.org/wfc.php
Userlevel 7
@ wrote:
Windows 8 presents certain technological limitations to our current firewall implementation and we are evaluating our options in light of those limitations. The operating system itself is locked down in certain respects that limit what third-party firewalls are capable of, which is why you don't see some of the features in Windows 8 that you would otherwise see in older versions of Windows.
That's why I'm staying with my Win7 pc. Gonna wait till Win 9 rolls out. The technological limitations though a tiny part of my argument against Win8, is not good. I like to have flexibility of OS so that I can use third party apps to configure it well.
Userlevel 5
Badge +24
Hopefully will be more flexible with win 8.1
Userlevel 5
Badge +24
Still no change after recnt upgrades and Win 8.1?
Userlevel 7
Hi dtouch,
 
Unfortunately no :(
I also would like to be able to control firewall configuration directly from the WSA.
In my opinion it has been a great convenience from the begining.
On Win8 and Win8.1 you can either try to configure firewall from Windows options or use some other external solutions. Fortunately, some of them superbly complements WSA in protection of system resources :D
 
Regards,
 
Mike
Userlevel 5
Badge +24
Many security tools out there are struggling with changed Win 8/8.1 firewall system I guess.
 
Userlevel 7
Badge +52
Hi dtouch
 
Review
https:///t5/Webroot-SecureAnywhere-Complete/Windows-8-and-Firewall-settings-in-WSA/m-p/25380#M2292https:///t5/Webroot-SecureAnywhere-Complete/Windows-8-and-Firewall-settings-in-WSA/m-p/25380#M2292
 
Foremost there is necessary to understand that the Windows firewall is very powerfull for inbound connections. Yes you can also set outbound rules but it is not so simple task. That's where WSA firewall stands up and provides strong protection.
I think that the absence of additional settings in firewall wsa no it does not affect the level of safety in win 8&8.1.
 
Thank you
Best regard, Petr.
 
 
 
Userlevel 5
Badge +24
I am aware of that and I use a tool called Windows Firewall control by Binisoft which enables me to configure live from desktop, outbound connections and it is quite effective and light on resources like WSA.
But I am used to love wsa for doing that before win 8.
Userlevel 7
Badge +52
"The Webroot SecureAnywhere firewall and software is compatible with any other antivirus or firewall application, so you should have no problem running our software alongside your other antivirus/firewall. While it is possible for another antivirus or firewall application to interfere with WSA, no part of Webroot should interfere with other firewalls as WSA is built to recognize and co-exist with other legitimate antivirus/firewall applications. Running the Windows firewall alongside our program is recommended and sufficient because the Windows firewall is effective against hostile inbound connections, whereas SecureAnywhere provides effective outbound protection."
https://community.webroot.com/t5/Webroot-SecureAnywhere-Antivirus/Webroot-SecureAnywhere-Firewall-Compatibility/ta-p/19260
Userlevel 5
Badge +24
:)
The point here is I prefer all in one tool in doing all that. WSA used to do that for me prior to win8.
I had posted the same as a feature request before. I am posting here after quite a long while. I had been told the idea of creating custom rules system was under condieration. So curious about any development towards that side.
https:///t5/Ideas-Exchange/Windows-8-Custom-Firewall-Settings-options-in-WSA-Products/idi-p/25226
Userlevel 7
If your computer connects to the internet through a router with built-in hardware firewall option or is hidden behind the NAT - in my opinion - even on Win8/8.1 you can feel completely safe using only WSA and Windows Firewall.
 
Mike
Userlevel 5
Badge +24
OMG! The point here is not that I feel unsafe with WSA.,but  a flexible firewall with custom rule creation, with "allow, deny "alerts and options... So that I can know live which app is connecting internet and which I would not mind and which I could block live, from tray popups. I am perferctly happy with alternative firewall configuring tool, but I would prefer if it is till WSA like it used to do with Win 7.
Userlevel 7
Badge +52
Ideas Exchange
Windows 8 Custom Firewall Settings/options in WSA
"Status: Under Consideration
Windows 8 presents limitations to our current firewall implementation and we are currently considering our options in light of those limitations."
https://community.webroot.com/t5/Ideas-Exchange/Windows-8-Custom-Firewall-Settings-options-in-WSA-Products/idi-p/25226
 
I think you need to wait, and a solution is found. This is not a critical problem. Security level is not decreased due to lack of data settings.
Thank you
Best regard, Petr.
Userlevel 7
Hi Petr
 
I don't want to dash anyone hopes but I do not think that this will go forward and evern if it does it will not bring back the Win7 level of granularity that WSA had when running under that...simply because MS won't allow it with their new rules for the Windows Firewall in Win8.1, and I cannot see Webroot putting investment into a firewall fucntion of their won just to give users granularity of control.
 
That was fine pre-Win7 when the MS firewall was 'ropey' but now it is generally acknowledged to be an excellent firewall solution.  As dtouch has pointed out WFC 7 provides a superb alternative interface (and more :D) to the built in firewall and personally I would use that.
 
Just my thoughts...for what they are worth...and I could very well be sooooooooo wrong in the long run.
 
Regards
 
 
Baldrick
 
 
Userlevel 7
Badge +56
To Quote Kit when he was with Webroot!
 
"WSA Firewall Settings in Windows 7 just expose control of the Windows Firewall that aren't exposed by the OS but can be controlled by other apps.

In Windows 8 and 8.1, these firewall settings are exposed by the OS, but MS took control away from apps to prevent apps from deciding to kick each other. So there is already these controls in the OS and WSA couldn't change them anyway.

Those controls are completely separate from the WSA portion of the firewall which triggers and takes action related to infections, so there is no reduction in protection."
 
The reason WSA is missing certain portions of the firewall and all the other vendors do is use the same API's to look like it's using there own Firewall why waste resources when the Windows 8.1 OS Firewall already does this!
 
Daniel
Userlevel 5
Badge +24
Now someone was talking :)
Two tools that works like WSA dis prior to Win8 are
1) http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/
2) http://www.binisoft.org/wfc.php
I personally use the latter and prefer it.
Hope someday, that these features will appear in WSA so that I could have one icon less in my tray, Seein more icons in my tray kinda bugs me :p
 
Userlevel 7
Well, dtouch, I do not know how far back you go but I remember when every component of what is now an IS app was an individual app (and I mean, AV, HIPS, Firewall, Anti Rootkit, etc.) and boy was the sys tray crowded...just two icon instead is not so bad and in my book significant progress...:D
 
Of, course...just one would be better...as you say...;)
 
Regards
 
 
Baldrick

Reply