panacape.blogg.se - Sphinx firewall control

Not like what we're hearing about Windows 10, mind you, but still WAY too promiscuous online. Unfortunately, looking over the amount network traffic my system was generating, I found it was still way too chatty. It does seem possible to shut the system the hell up and have it do only what *I* want! I'm here to say that the Sphinx software does allow enough control and management capability to accomplish these goals. Would (my legitimately licensed) Windows 8.1 deactivate itself if it can't regularly contact the mothership? Would Windows Update stop working? Would the level of communications be so high that I would never be able to ferret-out what needs to be allowed and what needs to be blocked?

De-configuring Windows Update from doing anything without my initiating it.Īllow anything initiated by me that I know needs to communicate online, while minimizing the risk of extra privacy-invading communications, and completely eliminating spurious communications not initiated by me.

De-configuring Internet Explorer's ability to run ActiveX and let scripts run wild.

Adding tens of thousands of lines to my "hosts" file to locally resolve server names known for providing badware and for snooping to 0.0.0.0 (i.e., to have network accesses to them by name fail).

OneDrive, Windows Store stuff, etc.), disabling services that intrude, disabling scheduled jobs that send data into Microsoft.

Deconfiguring all "participate in Customer Experience Improvement Program" settings.Over the years I had already made many system changes to enhance privacy and maximize security. I think it was originally called Windows Vista Firewall Control.Ī few weeks ago I decided I'd take more control of my system security. It has Win 10 in the name because I guess they feel the need for it to sound current.

Thanks to the recommendation of xpclient I've bought a firewall management product for use on my Win 8.1 system et.