Set up custom alerts for network changes or new devices with GlassWire

If you're worried about who's connecting to your network, why an app is using up data like crazy, or how to get alerts when new devices appear, GlassWire is a tool that makes it all easy for you. Its combination of visual monitoring, firewall, and customizable alerts makes it very useful on both Windows and Android.

In this guide I explain how to get the most out of setting up notifications for network changes, controlling data usage and deciding what to use. apps they can connect. Let's look at features, installation, key settings, firewall profiles and Tricks that make a difference in everyday life.

What is GlassWire and why you might care

Glasswire It is a network security and control software that clearly shows which programs are connecting and how much traffic they generate. In addition to visualizing real-time and past connections, allows you to block, create profiles and receive useful alerts.

The proposal goes beyond a classic firewall: acts as a control panel for applications and network activity, with modules to detect anomalous behavior, DNS changes, excessive consumption and events when you are not in front of the computer.

On Windows, it offers a view of graphs, lists of apps, remote servers, and destination countries, while on Android, it focuses on data control with a local, profile-based firewall. In both cases, alerts for new connections or devices keep you informed. without having to monitor everything manually.

Featured Features in Windows

One of GlassWire's hallmarks is its activity graph, detailed by app and time. You will see what your PC is connected to at any given time and you will be able to go back in time. There to investigate spikes or strange behavior.

The tool detects spyware, advanced malware, apps that go overboard and hog bandwidth. When something doesn't look right, you can cut them off on the fly. from the firewall panel itself.

You'll receive alerts about significant changes to your computer's network that could indicate a compromise. Those unusual activity alerts are key to reacting quickly. and minimize risks.

The built-in firewall lets you allow or deny app-to-app connections with one click. Additionally, it displays the destination IP addresses and the host country., something very useful to identify suspicious services at a glance.

Another practical advantage is the creation of firewall profiles for different scenarios. You can have one profile for home and another for work., adjusting what connects in each context without having to reconfigure from scratch.

More security with VirusTotal and available editions

Since version 2, GlassWire on Windows can automatically submit new processes to VirusTotal. This is how you check if they are reliable or potentially dangerous. without you having to lift a finger.

There are paid editions in addition to the free one: Basic, Pro, and Elite. Improvements focus on the number of allowed PCs, the length of the history, and the number of remote connections. that you can manage within the ecosystem.

Key benefits in any environment

The first major benefit is protecting your devices from unauthorized access and online threats. Alerts about malicious activity and selective blocks They give you real control over what happens on the network.

You'll also have complete control over your data usage in real time. You can identify which processes consume data, adjust workflows, and avoid extra charges. for last-minute surprises.

Monitoring is not just for security. Helps detect bottlenecks and performance problems that affect productivity, especially in multi-team environments.

Managing apps is easier when you see what they're doing and how much they're spending. If an app is not secure or should not communicate, you block it and that's it., leaving their Internet access limited or completely non-existent.

And of course, tunable notifications let you know what matters. From unusual activity to high consumption or new connections, you decide which events generate notifications and which ones don't.

Requirements and installation on Windows

To use the free version of GlassWire on Windows, the minimum requirements are modest. Works on Windows 7, 8 and 10, both 32 and 64 bits, with a processor type Intel Celeron 2 GHz or higher and 1 GB of RAM.

Installing it takes a matter of minutes. Download the installer from the official website and run it to navigate the wizard.

During the process, click Next, accept the license agreement, and leave the default options if you don't need to customize them. If you reinstall and want to start from scratch, select the Clean Install option. before continuing.

You will be able to choose the destination directory if you are interested in changing it. By confirming and clicking on Install, the program is copied and ready. for the first Boot.

After completing the installation, you will see the main window with the highlighted modules. From there you can check activity, set alerts and create profiles. on the firewall according to your needs.

Getting Started: Interface and Modules

The main sections appear on the left sidebar, and quick access to each module is available on the right. Navigation is simple and the learning curve is short., even if you've never used a visual firewall.

Chart shows traffic per app over time, ranging from 5 minutes to one month. It is the ideal view to understand at a glance what is moving and when the peaks occur.

Usage breaks down where your programs have connected and what your upload and download traffic has been. Includes information on the destination country of the connections, useful for identifying unexpected patterns.

Things is the section where you will see the devices present on your local network. When you click Scan, GlassWire lists computers, mobile phones, and other devices. detected in your environment.

Firewall is the heart of connection control. From there you decide which applications connect and which ones are left without access., with manual rules or through profiles.

Notifications centralizes notifications generated by program activity and network changes. It is the historical record that lets you go back and review what happened. in every moment.

Change language, skins and relevant settings

From the main menu you can change the language to Spanish under Language. When applying the change, the program restarts and loads the interface in Spanish. without major complications.

In Skins you modify the visual appearance with different themes. Additionally, in Settings you will find useful options such as Data Plan and VirusTotal, which should be reviewed at the beginning.

Data plan notifies you when you reach a certain traffic volume in a specific period. Ideal for metered networks or contractual limits where you don't want to go too far.

The VirusTotal section includes a free service that analyzes suspicious files and URLs. It is an effective booster to detect malicious software before it causes problems..

Firewall configuration in detail

The main firewall screen indicates whether it is active with the status set to ON. You have three operating modes to adapt to each scenario without complicating your life.

Press to lock is the default mode: allows all connections initially and you block manually the ones you don't want. It's quick to start and then polish.

Ask to connect requests confirmation each time an app attempts to connect to the Internet. It is the classic form of firewall and the strictest, although at first you will see more dialog boxes.

Block all cuts off all traffic at once. It is the emergency mode to isolate the machine in seconds when you detect something strange.

When you open the details of an application, such as a browser, you can block access to it with one click. If you use Ask to Connect mode, you will see pop-up prompts to Allow or Deny, so that nothing goes out without your approval.

More network modules and Pro options in Windows

In addition to the bandwidth graph, the Firewall tab lists all connected or previously connected apps, the destination servers, and traffic volume. Usage summarizes network usage by application with a more analytical perspective.

Network and Alerts complete the picture: The first one draws a map of your local network and its devices in the Pro edition, and the second collects all the alerts triggered by the system.

The Pro edition unlocks features that bring it closer to a full firewall: It can always ask you when an app tries to connect and allows you to block the entire network. from the tool itself.

Another advantage of Pro is the network analysis to list devices connected to the router. It is very useful to detect intruders or opportunistic neighbors. on your Wi‑Fi without permission.

As an added security feature, Pro can also monitor your microphone and webcam to prevent unauthorized activation and other risks such as spying with your mouse. An interesting addition if you are concerned about the physical privacy of your computer..

GlassWire for Android: Total Data Control

On mobile devices, GlassWire focuses on data usage and connection security. Includes free features that were previously paid for, such as detailed statistics, profile-based firewalls, and advanced alerts.

The app works with a clear focus on privacy: It does not send your usage to servers or generate its own traffic., all the analysis happens inside the phone.

Download, permissions and privacy

Install GlassWire from Google Play searching for its official name. The installation is typical of the store and does not require unusual adjustments. nor steps outside the system.

For the first time, Android will ask for phone and usage permissions to break down usage by app. They are necessary to accurately measure mobile and Wi-Fi traffic and be able to show reliable figures.

Even if you prefer to grant the minimum, the app is designed to operate without sending data outside. Processing stays on the device and there is no telemetry of your usage., something that is appreciated.

Chart, filters and view by application

The initial screen is a graph of rise and fall, differentiated by color and arrow. You can move back in time with a side gesture. to review previous events.

Below you will see the applications sorted by current usage. When you click on one, the graph is filtered to show only its usage. and you can open its system tab if you need to stop it.

If you tap on a specific bar in the graph, the app tells you who used data during that interval. It's the fastest way to link peaks to specific apps and stop guessing.

In the top left corner you can change the time range, from Day to other periods. If you created a data plan, it also appears there so you can see at a glance how you're doing. with respect to the limit.

If no information is displayed, check that the mobile phone has traffic. With Android's data saving mode active, add GlassWire to your whitelist., and if it persists, restart and install again accepting permissions.

In the top right menu you filter by network type between Mobile and Wi‑Fi. You can also rotate your phone horizontally for a more detailed view. which facilitates peak research.

Details by app: dates, permissions and activity

Each app's profile includes the installation date, last update, permissions, and first detected network activity. That last piece of data starts counting from the moment you install GlassWire., it is not retroactive.

This view makes it easy to see if a newly installed app is communicating too early or too often. If it does not fit your use, you can investigate or limit its access. from the built-in firewall.

Helpful alerts and persistent notification

GlassWire notifies you when a newly installed app attempts to connect for the first time. It is an ideal warning to stop unexpected consumption. or connections you didn't expect to see.

The alerts screen displays the full history, with options to clear and filter by type. Decide whether you want to see new connections, mobile data activity, or other events. that interest you.

On Android, the app maintains a persistent notification to operate in the background, as required by the system. On some models you can hold it down and hide it., in others you will have to leave it visible.

That notification may include a real-time network speedometer. This is how you see your data or Wi-Fi speed at the moment. and detect if something is sucking bandwidth without permission.

The media has observed minimal impact on battery life. After hours of use, reported consumption is around 0 percent., faithful to the app's lightweight philosophy.

Step-by-step data plan

To create a plan, tap the stopwatch icon in the center and press the add button. Choose a name, set the limit, and select whether the plan renews. automatically.

Select the monthly, weekly, or other cycle period and adjust the actual start if it doesn't fall on day 1. This way the count matches your billing. and the alerts arrive when they should.

If your carrier excludes certain apps from the count, add them as zero-rated apps. This way, GlassWire will not count that data towards the voucher. and the statistics will be true to your bill.

If you have already used up megabytes in the current cycle, adjust the initial data usage option. In You have already used you can enter the actual consumption so as not to be out of step with the rest of the period.

You can create multiple plans, including Wi-Fi-only plans for metered connections. If your rate is unlimited, set a practical threshold to receive warnings before you are slowed down after a certain volume.

Additional options include data transfer and roaming behavior. These details refine calculations and avoid false alarms. when you change zones or cycles.

When you approach the limit, GlassWire will send you escalated alerts. A common threshold is 90 percent of the bonus, perfect for containing spending in the last few days.

Android Firewall and Profiles

In the bottom bar, click on the shield icon and activate the firewall. Android will prompt to start a VPN local that routes traffic within the phone without going out to the Internet.

With the firewall active, you can prevent newly installed apps from accessing the app by default. They are blocked until you give them explicit permission., ideal for avoiding premature consumption.

Below you'll see a list of all apps you can allow or block at will, with custom profiles. Create a strict one for mobile data and a more open one for Wi-Fi as it suits you.

You can even create a profile that blocks all traffic and activate it at specific times. If you don't need to block anything, turn off the firewall. and the app will continue monitoring without the local VPN.

Troubleshooting common problems

If connectivity drops, turn off the firewall on Android to rule out other causes. If the firewall still fails with the firewall off, GlassWire is not the culprit.; if it only fails with it on, you probably blocked something critical.

In that case, create a new profile without blocks and test. For other issues, use the feedback submission menu. and attach details and screenshots to speed up the diagnosis.

Themes, fine-tuning, and the Usage tab

From Themes you can change the look and choose from carefully curated dark modes, including at least one that's free. If you buy paid themes, you support future development. of the application.

In Settings, you decide which alerts you see and whether you want to focus on mobile data. The update interval can also be extended to save battery life. or shorten for maximum precision.

Right there you choose what to display in the persistent notification, activate the speedometer, and clear the history. Deleting your history is useful when you change your rate or habits. of connection.

The Usage tab on Android breaks down upload and download traffic by app with quick filters. It is a clearer alternative to the native section of the system and fits very well with the data plan.

Practical tips and good practices

Enable default blocking of newly installed apps in the mobile firewall. This way you decide on a case-by-case basis which ones can connect. and prevent them from sucking data before opening them.

When you have limited data, use a strict mobile profile and filter the chart by Mobile. You focus on consumption that costs money and you leave Wi‑Fi out of the equation.

If you notice your phone is laggy, check the speedometer in the notification. A strange sustained speed can give away a greedy app. in background.

If you change carriers or plans, update your data plan cycle and limit. Setting You have already used prevents untimely alerts and keeps the accounts clear.

For metered connections like satellite, create a specific Wi-Fi-only plan. This way you separate alerts and don't mix consumptions. which are charged differently.

Periodically review each app's profile on Android: installation, update, permissions, and initial network activity. It will help you detect behavior that doesn't fit with what you expect.

Security, privacy and device control

When your PC connects to the Internet, by default many system apps also talk to remote servers. GlassWire lets you control which apps connect, where, and how much, reducing attack surface and data leaks.

Its modules include application control with notifications upon first network access, activity logging when you're not there, DNS control, and monitoring for excessive usage. All this with a clear interface that facilitates research. in case of incidents.

On Android, the architecture prevents your statistics from being sent to the cloud. Persistent notification complies with system rules for background apps and the app does not include advertising, minimizing third-party tracking.

New connection alerts and a profile-based firewall enhance your security. Detect unexpected connections and be able to cut them instantly It can be the difference between overspending or keeping your network under control.

For Windows, if you're interested in keeping a close eye on your home network, the Pro edition offers a map of connected devices and advanced firewall options. It even adds microphone and webcam monitoring to prevent unauthorized activations., providing extra peace of mind.

With all of the above, GlassWire becomes a Swiss Army knife for your network: It monitors in detail, notifies you when it's time, blocks what shouldn't be spoken and helps you optimize use. both on PC and mobile.