Re: [Update] Portmaster Free 2.1.19

On 23/05/2026 08:44, Allan Higdon wrote:
> On Fri, 22 May 2026 16:33:00 -0500,  wrote:
> 
>> On 18/05/2026 12:41, Allan Higdon wrote:
>>> "Portmaster is a free and open-source privacy suite that puts you back
>>> in charge of your computer.
>>
>>
>> I'm struggling with this. The freeware version looks really crippled. Am
>> I missing something?
>>
> 
> 
> Is the freeware version crippled compared to other firewalls?

Well this is what I have been struggling to find out. Conflicting 
opinions. I don't really want to install a program like this just to 
find out. It would be useful to find something more up to date than 
Kerio about which you may guess my opinion. JC was trying this out but 
now seems to have jumped ship. I was hoping for his opinion on this.

Obviously, this application is sold on one of these fangled modern 
Freemium models, forgive my skepticism but before I commit I would like 
to know if there are any shenanigans I should know about like does the 
freeware version install a free full version for a month or whatever to 
try out. A common tactic. There seem to be conflicting opinions on the 
granularity of rules. From not very configurable to very configurable.

There's a whole list of gotchas and conflicts mentioned which look 
credible and mention of 'breaking things'. Obviously, posters out there 
on the www vary in technical ability. Who knows.

My head says this is a big task, I'm struggling to scope this because of 
the lack of info, and it also says run away not least for the simple 
reason that in my heart I believe that my AV is in reality the better 
tool for combating network threats, that combined with research here and 
on the wider Internet. Dicking around with lots of networking rules, 
many unnecessary, was fun, the first time.

So, anyone?




> I did provide a Feature Comparison link.
> Based on that and there were no Limitations mentioned on MajorGeeks,
> https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/safing_portmaster.html,
> I saw no reason not to post it.
> 
> John C. posted that he's checking it out.
> He may consider it to be Promotionware, but that's not reason enough to 
> rule it out.
> 
> 
>>
>>>
>>> Features:
>>>
>>> Monitor All Network Activity
>>> Discover everything that is happening on your computer. Expose every
>>> connection your applications make and detect evil ones. Finally get the
>>> power to act accordingly.
>>>
>>> Block Unwanted Connections
>>> Many programs connect to the Internet without your knowledge. When you
>>> find unwanted connections, you can now simply block them.
>>>
>>> Auto-Block via Selected Filter Lists
>>> Automatically block ads, trackers and malware hosts via trusted domain-
>>> lists, which are also used by Ad-Blockers, etc. Easily change the
>>> defaults to fit your needs.
>>>
>>> Enforce DNS-over-TLS
>>> Even with invasive connections gone, you might not want to share your
>>> dns requests out in the open. With the Portmaster, you can easily re-
>>> route all your dns queries to a DNS-over-TLS provider of your choice.
>>>
>>> Set Global & per-App Settings
>>> Make your own rules. Completely cut off applications from the Internet.
>>> Or block all p2p connections except for certain apps. Or never connect
>>> to specific countries. The Portmaster has you covered."
>>>
>>> https://alternativeto.net/software/portmaster/about/
>>>
>>> Home Page
>>> https://safing.io/
>>>
>>> Release Notes
>>> https://github.com/safing/portmaster/releases/
>>>
>>> Feature Comparison
>>> https://safing.io/pricing/#comparison
>>>
>>> Download
>>> https://updates.safing.io/latest/windows_amd64/packages/
>>> Portmaster_2.1.19_x64-setup.exe
>>
>> Cat's lives matter!
>>
>> p-0.0-h the cat, the number one influencer on the Usenet Social!
>> Live everyday like you're a really cool cat!
>> Sent from my iFurryUnderbelly.

Cat's lives matter!

p-0.0-h the cat, the number one influencer on the Usenet Social!
Live everyday like you're a really cool cat!
Sent from my iFurryUnderbelly.

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