Block all unwanted traffic with Tripmode

Tripmode is a commercial program for Windows and Mac devices that can be used to block all traffic on the device in a comfortable easy manner.

While you could say that most software and hardware firewalls allow you to do the same,  none make the process that easy.

Basically, all you need to do is flip a switch to enable the traffic blocking mode. All traffic is blocked from that moment on, and it is up to you to allow certain applications or system services to connect to Internet servers.

Tripmode has been designed for situations where mobile bandwidth is either limited or required for specific applications or services. Say you have a monthly bandwidth quota when on mobile, and you want to prevent it from being used up by operating system updates, automatic backups or sync jobs, downloads or updates on Steam, or any other automated job that may use bandwidth.

Tripmode for Windows

The program sits quietly in the Windows system tray area after installation or start and will only spring to life when you flip its switch or when the device connects to networks that are unknown to it (automatically then).

It blocks all traffic that programs or the operating system requests, and displays each application or service in its interface to let users know about it.

Blocked services and programs are indicated by a semi-transparent background and if they were never enabled during the session with the traffic reading 0.0 MB.

A simple click on an item allows it through the firewall so that it can connect to Internet servers. If you take Microsoft Edge as an example, it will throw error messages when you enable Tripmode as it cannot connect to Internet servers. Once you allow it, you can use the browser as usual.

Tripmode logs the bandwidth used by allowed applications and services, and lists the figure next to its listing in the program interface, as well as a total for the session and other time periods below the listing.

The functionality the app provides is as basic as it gets in terms of customization options. There is no option to whitelist or blacklist applications or services, to find programs or services quickly in the listing (you need to scroll), let alone settings to allow or disallow outbound or inbound traffic only.

Closing Words

Tripmode is a basic application but that does not need to be a bad thing as it is dead easy to use and efficient in what it does. Its main advantage over the built-in Windows Firewall or other firewall solutions is that ease of use, but it comes at the cost of customization options.

In addition, you cannot automate Tripmode as much as software or hardware firewalls, and if you take the time to do so, things may be in the end even more comfortable after you have done so.

Tripmode costs $7.99 both for Mac and Windows, but you can download and run a 7-day free trial to test the program and see if it works for you.