Does your PC Require an Outbound Firewall?

Windows has an in built firewall that blocks inbound connections. If the program acts as a server then Windows would prompt you. This firewall allows you to connect without your permission. Windows firewall shows a single application related firewall prompt. When the application wants to function as a web server, prompt appears informing this. If you allow, then applications can receive incoming connections from the net or even local network. You would have to forward the ports on router if application is not supportive of UPnP forwarding it automatically.

These are not frequent and not easy to deal with. Whenever an application wants to connect Internet or local network you get to see a prompt. If connection is declined, the firewall would prevent application from connecting.

Outbound firewalls are not that useful for an average user. These prevent applications on computer from connecting online. If you get to see a malware which is connecting then you are in trouble as it is running on the computer. The malware does lot of damage. 

If the program was running on the system and had access then it would open loopholes in firewall program. Malware could ally with other programs in order to communicate over net. It is not easy to isolate any particular application from the net. 

Outbound firewall is quite effective against any type of malware. Focus is mainly on effective antivirus program thereby keeping it updated and ensuring that Java is not installed. This would keep PC more secure compared to an antivirus which would not be that effective. If for once the system has been compromised then it cannot be undone.   

However geeks feel that this application would block apps which cannot be trusted blindly. However no unreliable application should be allowed to run on the system. Outbound firewalls cannot be totally discarded. In case you have some particular need and want to prevent the application from connecting to net then this can be valuable. However not many require this. 

You can also make use of Windows Firewall in order to create a rule to block the application from connecting to net. If you are configuring any server then this can be done to arrange outbound firewall rules thereby locking the machine.  

You can surely install an external firewall on Windows PC and avail benefits of the software. Sure, you could install a third-party firewall on your Windows PC and get outbound firewall capabilities. You should be able to control applications which connect with net.   

However every application would be connecting to the net for updates. Most programs on computer connect for some reason or the other. 

While outbound firewalls are not harmful they do not come with many disadvantages. It would take up more system resources and irritate you to upgrade. In case it is part of internet security suite it adds up to other programs which are not required in the system. 

The firewall adds complexity. You have to determine which applications should or must not connect. You would not surely like to deal with prompts always. On the other hand if you want to manage programs on the system which can connect easily, then install an external firewall.