firewall question

hi guys i'm thinking of ditching zone alarm pro for outpost pro or kerio pro. one of the things i'll miss from zone alarm is the program and component control feature. i use it mainly to control which programs an start with windows etc. if i chose to use for example outpost pro is there any freeware software i can use to control program components, startup etc. your help will be greatly appreciated.

 

I believe that WinPatrol will do the trick when it comes to monitoring startup programs.

Microsoft Antispyware does/did a good job of monitoring that, too. If Microsoft Windows Defender does the same, I'm sure you'd be happy with that, too! (I can't recall if it does off the top, but I would expect it does)

As for "program component control", I assume you mean having application access control built into the firewall? If so, I believe that Outpost has that (its been awhile since I've used it), but I am certain that Sygate Personal Firewall does have this feature.

 

Winpatrol is great (and cute), I didn't know Windows Defender (WD) did as well obviously I have to configure it properly as WinPatrol always ask me when a new app wants to become a startup app but WD hasn't yet.

 

thanx for your responses. i think winpatrol will do just fine. As long as it warns me when programs are trying to set themselves to startup with windows without my knowledge. Which firewall do you think is the best alternative to zone alarm Pro. Outpost pro or kerio pro. if you have any informative links that will be greatly appreciated.

 

i love the way winpatrol detects startup programs. is there way to set it to permanently remember your choice rather than setting permissions manually every time you run the program. it becomes tedious. if not is there and alternative that is just as good with an option to remember the settings