GlassWire
Security and privacy
network monitoring
SHOW HN2014
1,013points
331comments
#4of 2,272 in 2014
Top 1%of 2014 by points
How HN took it
DebatedReal support and real criticism
48 positive, 56 neutral or asking, 15 mixed, 49 critical, out of 168 comments about the project. Thread score +0.08.
Design: 24 for, 4 againstIdea: 9 for, 13 againstPrivacy: 0 for, 14 againstExecution: 0 for, 9 againstPricing: 4 for, 0 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Clean, beautiful graph design
From 3 comments
Wow. I hate how so many Windows applications are considerably uglier compared to Mac counterparts. The Windows apps don't seem to push forward Windows design but rather get stuck…
gregbarbosa on HNPlease send my compliments to the designer of both your app and website. both designs are clean, beautiful and work with the UI. bravo. it would be nice to have more info about…
ofir_geller on HNReally nice looking page. I'd love to get an OSX version...
fra on HN
Network time machine history view
From 2 comments
Our firewall uses the Windows firewall system so it doesn't add instability to your computer. I was afraid it would sound kind of lame to talk about the awesome firewall when…
greenwalls on HNI use Little Snitch on my Mac. I found myself just "allow"ing everything all the time anyway. I think most users just get used to pressing "OK" and stop even paying attention to…
greenwalls on HN
Remote monitoring of other machines
From 1 comment
This is immensely helpful (and beautiful). I really like how you can monitor remote boxes. Customization of alerts is great too! Any chance you will support hi-res screens (see…
purpl3p3rs0n on HN
Objections
Calls home for updates and RBL checks, a privacy concern
From 3 comments
All software related to security should be open source. This particular piece of software doesn't sit at a crucial point in a secure system, but a greater deal of transparency…
ddevault on HNFrom FAQ page: > GlassWire keeps an up to date list of known suspicious hosts and alerts you if you contact one. Suspicious hosts are often related to botnets, malware, and other…
eps on HNGlassWire checks for software updates and also does an RBL check. You can see it on the graph and block GlassWire if you want, but then you won't be alerted to new versions and…
greenwalls on HN
Closed source for a security tool
From 2 comments
All software related to security should be open source. This particular piece of software doesn't sit at a crucial point in a secure system, but a greater deal of transparency…
ddevault on HNI got hacked, felt paranoid, made an app... Yeah right! This app is not a one man show! This app, with all it's license stuff, backdoors etc.. all ready to know a lot of all your…
highercenter on HN
Free pricing may lead to adware or abandonment
From 1 comment
This looks brilliant and is badly needed on Windows. However the fact that it's free gives me pause, especially since we're talking about privacy software that is not open…
blub on HN
Cannot catch traffic that bypasses the OS, such as rootkits
From 3 comments
Please send my compliments to the designer of both your app and website. both designs are clean, beautiful and work with the UI. bravo. it would be nice to have more info about…
ofir_geller on HNITT: people care way more about the superficial qualities of security software than, ya know, security. This looks way easier and prettier than open sourced NIDS and HIDS like…
ki11a11hippies on HNThanks for the feedback. Yes you're right about rootkits and there are other ways to bypass the network that GlassWire can't see.
greenwalls on HN
Requests
Mac version
From 3 comments
Wow. I hate how so many Windows applications are considerably uglier compared to Mac counterparts. The Windows apps don't seem to push forward Windows design but rather get stuck…
gregbarbosa on HNReally nice looking page. I'd love to get an OSX version...
fra on HNShamelessly bikeshedding, since I can't use the app until you have an OS X version, but would be nice if it could query my router via SNMP to get whole-network usage. That's what…
geoelectric on HN
Linux version
From 2 comments
Great application, please create one that can be run on Linux and Windows machines as a service and monitoried using such a beautiful client software.
mback2k on HNAnother request from me for a Linux version! --- maybe related... I remember when switched to linux some years ago, the software I really missed was ZoneAlarm and still haven't…
justkos on HN
Plugin API for ISP usage monitors
From 2 comments
Any plans for a plugin API? I'd love to add my ISPs usage monitor to this.
voltagex_ on HNI wonder if the OP should set up UserVoice or similar for feature requests/voting. My wishes: * A pay-once Pro version * A plugin API so I can add my ISPs usage monitor * Per-app…
voltagex_ on HN
Fix hi-res screen display
From 1 comment
This is immensely helpful (and beautiful). I really like how you can monitor remote boxes. Customization of alerts is great too! Any chance you will support hi-res screens (see…
purpl3p3rs0n on HN
Pay-once pro version
From 2 comments
I wonder if the OP should set up UserVoice or similar for feature requests/voting. My wishes: * A pay-once Pro version * A plugin API so I can add my ISPs usage monitor * Per-app…
voltagex_ on HNHoly hell, this was the app I was looking for for a long time! It does exactly what I want it to do and does it beautifully. Thank you! I'll be happy to pay you when you provide…
TeMPOraL on HN
Questions
Does the app phone home and what data does it send?
From 3 comments
All software related to security should be open source. This particular piece of software doesn't sit at a crucial point in a secure system, but a greater deal of transparency…
ddevault on HNBeautiful app, I looked at the Privacy Policy on the site & breezed through the Install legalize and it doesn't seem to include specific network traffic information being relayed…
cyanbane on HNFrom FAQ page: > GlassWire keeps an up to date list of known suspicious hosts and alerts you if you contact one. Suspicious hosts are often related to botnets, malware, and other…
eps on HN
Is it a trojan or can it be trusted?
From 2 comments
How do I know this isn't a trojan? :P
EGreg on HNCool app, but if you're the kind of person who gets hacked, why should we trust your sec?
nilved on HN
Does it work with VPNs?
From 1 comment
Site is getting hammered right now, but everything looks awesome. Are there any settings for VPNs? Does it work with VPNs?
ToastyMallows on HN
Alternatives named
Little Snitch
From 3 comments
http://www.obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/index.html
lumpypua on HNIt's Little Snitch for Windows? Love it.
jelias on HNOur firewall uses the Windows firewall system so it doesn't add instability to your computer. I was afraid it would sound kind of lame to talk about the awesome firewall when…
greenwalls on HN
Spybot Search and Destroy
From 1 comment
This is really pretty, but I don't use anything in this vein except for Spybot Search and Destroy. I wonder what other HNers are think about that: am I asking for trouble? I…
elwell on HN
SpyShelter Firewall
From 1 comment
Beautiful UI! Just curious: why not block connection attempts from new programs automatically? By the time a user has noticed and blocked future connections, it may well be too…
miles on HN