Firewall Easy

Sometimes, malware-filled software can disguise themselves in seemingly harmless applications that can destroy or siphon your private files with the purpose of blackmailing you. Other times, your favorite single-player game can request access to the internet for sending personal data to advertisers.

Regardless of the situation, restricting some apps’ capabilities of accessing the internet can be lifesaving. One particularly useful way of doing so is via Firewall Easy, thanks to its integration with the Windows context menu.

Running the application will summon a simple layout displaying a list of the programs that have been blocked from accessing the internet. This program’s accessible interface gives users an alternative to Windows’ aging “Defender Firewall with Advanced Security”, whose design can seem cluttered to those who simply want to restrict internet access to various software.

Adding programs to the list of blocked apps can be done using a built-in file picker for those who want to carry out the task without leaving the main window. The items in the list act as rules, with the option to also remove them individually, in case users change their mind regarding the workflow of a certain executable.

One of the most important functions is its integration with Windows, with the program automatically implementing a command to the context menu to add selected files to the list. This makes for a painless experience for those concerned that a suspicious piece of software may gather and send their personal data outside the local area network.

Blocking rules can be exported in a proprietary format for backup purposes, which can be useful for situations in which the user needs to reinstall the operating system. When uninstalling applications whose internet access was blocked, their rules can sometimes linger in the program’s list. As such, a special option can be triggered to refresh the list to avoid confusion.

For times when more advanced settings need to be changed, a dedicated shortcut to launching the Windows Firewall can be found in the lower left corner, providing users with flexibility that is tailored to their specific workflow.

Windows users who are tired of navigating through the archaic interface of the built-in networking feature set may find good use in Firewall Easy’s context menu integration and simple design focused on quickly blocking internet access to applications which may not need it in the first place.