Windows Firewall Control 6.0 is out
Malwarebytes, new owner of Windows Firewall Control, released Windows Firewall Control 6.0.0.0 to the public on February 26, 2019.
The new version is not the first release under the Malwarebytes umbrella, but it is the first major release as indicated by the version bump to 6.0.
The new version introduces the Malwarebytes branding to the application and makes other interface changes for the most part.
Existing users may receive an update notification in the version of Windows Firewall Control that is installed on their device.
The selection of "yes" when prompted to download and update to the new version results in a notification prompt shortly thereafter that highlights that it is not possible to perform an in-place upgrade to the new version.
Malwarebytes asks users to uninstall the current version of Windows Firewall Control manually before they run the installer again.
Users may need to download Windows Firewall Control 6.0.0.0 from the official website to do so.
Note: You may want to export firewall rules and user settings first before you remove the old version to install the new. Select Options > Export user settings to a file and Rules > Export Windows Firewall rules to a file to do so. You may lose existing rules or settings otherwise.
I have uploaded the last release version of Windows Firewall Control, version 5.4.1, as a mirror just in case. Download it with a click on the following link:(Download Removed)
Note: if the download link is not working, try this one:
Malwarebytes Windows Firewall Control
The first thing that existing users will notice after the upgrade is that the interface changed significantly. It looks similar to the interface of other Malwarebytes products and carries the Malwarebytes branding.
Tip: Select Rules > Import Windows Firewall rules from a file and Options > Import user settings from a file to import settings and rules from the previous version.
The new dashboard highlights the state of the firewall, inbound and outbound connections, and the location. You cannot interact with these there, however. It would be nice if you could click on a status to change it.
A click on profiles shows that filtering is set to low by default and not medium; Notifications are set to disabled for outbound connections. You may want to change those to "display notifications" instead or "learning mode".
You will notice that the configuration options look identical to those of previous versions. The shell, the menu on the left side, changed in the new version but the actual options appear to be the same.
The changelog on the official Binisoft website highlights two additional changes.
- Users may change the language of the interface under Options now directly.
- The user manual was converted to PDF from CHM. You can load it with a tap on the F1 key or the selection of the question mark icon.
Malwarebytes made a change to profile switching next to that which improves the handling of inbound connections. Inbound connections are blocked automatically if the user switches profiles if they are allowed by default.
Closing Words
The requirement to remove the old installation before installing the new version is problematic. It will certainly leave some users behind; those who don't or can't go through the process, and those who prefer to stick with the old version to avoid the new version.
Memory usage increased a bit in the new version but not nearly as much as it did when Malwarebytes released version 3.0 of the company's main security program.
Now You: What is your take on the new version?
Is there any way to not block, but warn when automatic rules are created? Steam is especially guilty of doing that for its progams and there are even viruses getting sold on that platform: https://old.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/d91vze/software_i_bought_on_steam_got_detected_as_a_virus/
Thanks for the info.. I’ve been using Firewall App Blocker (Fab) v1.6, which is free and basic, for blocking exe files with some simple right-click mouse functions. Good for blocking some software from calling home. It likewise uses Windows firewall. Also, you can export your settings to other computers.
Thank you dear developer for creating such a great software.
I love you :3
Thank you for this many years working on this great software.
Fantastic software. It’s one of those rare situations when software is intuitive and actually enjoyable to use. Well done to the brilliant developer, both technically and ethically.
Btw, 6.0.1.0 is out…
Took a couple of minutes to work out the default ‘Display Notifications’ set at Disabled was the cause of the block. Other than that the transition from old to new went well. Version is now 6.0.1.0.
Also ugly (compared to version 7.5), but at least there is a free version:
http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/order.html
I suppose something simply like Comodo Firewall would be an inappropriate mention here.
Flat and ugly. Flat and ugly. That is how most UI is today. I avoid them as much as i can.
Completely Agree
Also most websites became like this.
i usually zoom out so websites be more clean and minimal :/
Here is the behind the scenes info on this topic for anyone interested:
https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/windows-firewall-control-wfc-by-binisoft-org.347370/
Anyone have the MD5/SHAx hashes of the 5.4.1 installer?
These are:
Version: 5.4.1.0
Date: 03 January, 2019
SHA256: 8dd146f054d1667187d11d242e51877b480d69061695991573940bde7f2d6285
I discovered WFC shortly after Alexandru made it freeware, version 5.4.0.0 (01.08.2018). I liked it, and donated. I can’t find it now, but somewhere during my looking around regarding the version upgrade and Malwarebytes branding, I saw a statement from Malwarebytes saying something like “The software will remain free for the foreseen future”. That is of some concern, but I guess if I’m going to continue using it I will have to upgrade to version 6, since v5.4.1.0 nags you often about the new version being available.
You can uncheck the Automatic check for updates check box and you won’t be notified anymore.
Thanks, Alexandru. I didn’t see it.
Download link for older version 5.4.1 not working, tested on 3 different browsers and page keep reloading and download doesn’t start.
Anonymous has provided a working link to the file. It works fine.
@ Eder Same here, most likely privacy extensions LOL The link from Bananaxx worked for me.
I too was very unhappy that malwarebytes aquired this product. I’m quite sure they will ruin it due to greed. I won’t be updating either.
I don’t begrudge Alex, $10 was an insanely cheap price, one that I too paid very quickly after trying the free version of WFC.
Great idea to offer the LNG version for download here! I have 5.4.0 and would really like to have 5.4.1 for keepers! That one is hard to find online, most sites offer 6.0.0 now, and finding the right download is even harder because the 5.4.0 and 5.4.1 files share the same identical file name. So I really appreciate the gesture to offer the right download.
Unfortunately, here on Ghacks both the automatic download and the “please click here to start it manually” link just don’t work for me. They don’t work in Firefox, they don’t work in Vivaldi, and they don’t work (my desperate try…) in IE. Clicking the “please click here to start it manually” link just keeps reloading the same page instead of starting a download.
Use the official links below.
Last version with old interface:
https://www.binisoft.org/download/old/5410/wfc5setup.exe
Last version before Malwarebytes acquisition:
https://www.binisoft.org/download/old/5310/wfc5setup.exe
Last version that works on Windows Vista and Server 2008:
https://www.binisoft.org/download/old/4960/wfc4setup.exe
You’re welcome,
The developer
Thanks for your continued support Alex.
Henk, here it is https://www.binisoft.org/download/old/5410/wfc5setup.exe
Here the 5.4.1 version https://web.archive.org/web/20190220020534/https://www.binisoft.org/wfc.php
Malwarebytes… this name chills up my spine. At the opposite Simplewall is relaxing, https://github.com/henrypp/simplewall/releases
I for one I’m a big fan of Simple Wall and its simplicity. It has all the functionality that is expected of a firewall and it does it well, without any of the hassle of setting up complex rules (which of course you can still do if you like). Easy to setup and effective, it just works!
Another dev sells out to Malwarebytes.
@ DAWDAD
Alexandru Dicu, the developer of WFC, released the first version, WFC 1.6, in June 2010. Until version 5.3.1, he requested a $10 donation to access all the features, including real time monitoring.
When Martin reviewed WFC 5.3.1 , there were quite a few comments made about having to (oh horror) PAY for the full version.
I was happy to donate $10 for a Lifetime licence because it is one of the best Windows firewall configuration programs. Putting the $10 donation into context, this would buy a couple of Starbucks or Costa “coffees”.
It would seem that many users believe that all software should be free, forgetting that the developers need cash to live.
Your comment “Another dev sells out to Malwarebytes.” is crass.
Alexandru has finally decided that, instead of relying on donations, he would like to be paid properly for his efforts and joined Malwarebytes.
Would you, DAWDAD, work for peanuts or would you prefer a regular income.
NB Both Alexandru and Malwarebytes have stated that WFC will NOT be incorporated into Malwarebytes Anti Malware.
I paid and yes he is a sellout
I happily paid for WFC three times.
I’m still using 5.3.1.0 and see no need to upgrade to later versions.
Well said.
great. this was (for me) the best and most useful app when i was still working on windows. and really scary at the same time. you just have to open the windows settings or the explorer and data will be sent to the web. connections to ms. whois gave concrete answers.
do not forget the facts, do not forget PRISM and all the companys that were and still are involved.
I can’t see the link for version 5.4.1
Another vote for Sphinx Firewall Control – free version, works perfectly.
Should be there now, sorry for that!