diff --git a/firewall/dns.go b/firewall/dns.go
index 498d3a52d..b0ac071a9 100644
--- a/firewall/dns.go
+++ b/firewall/dns.go
@@ -177,15 +177,6 @@ func FilterResolvedDNS(
 		return rrCache
 	}
 
-	// Finalize verdict.
-	defer func() {
-		// Reset from previous filtering.
-		conn.Verdict.Active = network.VerdictUndecided
-		conn.Verdict.Worst = network.VerdictUndecided
-		// Update all values again.
-		finalizeVerdict(conn)
-	}()
-
 	// special grant for connectivity domains
 	if checkConnectivityDomain(ctx, conn, layeredProfile, nil) {
 		// returns true if check triggered
@@ -197,7 +188,7 @@ func FilterResolvedDNS(
 
 	// Filter dns records and return if the query is blocked.
 	rrCache = filterDNSResponse(ctx, conn, layeredProfile, rrCache, sysResolver)
-	if conn.Verdict.Active == network.VerdictBlock {
+	if conn.Verdict == network.VerdictBlock {
 		return rrCache
 	}
 
diff --git a/firewall/inspection/inspection.go b/firewall/inspection/inspection.go
index 9481932c0..92de03453 100644
--- a/firewall/inspection/inspection.go
+++ b/firewall/inspection/inspection.go
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ func RunInspectors(conn *network.Connection, pkt packet.Packet) (network.Verdict
 		}
 
 		// check if the active verdict is already past the inspection criteria.
-		if conn.Verdict.Active > inspectVerdicts[key] {
+		if conn.Verdict > inspectVerdicts[key] {
 			activeInspectors[key] = true
 			continue
 		}
@@ -86,11 +86,11 @@ func RunInspectors(conn *network.Connection, pkt packet.Packet) (network.Verdict
 			continueInspection = true
 		case BLOCK_CONN:
 			conn.SetVerdict(network.VerdictBlock, "", "", nil)
-			verdict = conn.Verdict.Active
+			verdict = conn.Verdict
 			activeInspectors[key] = true
 		case DROP_CONN:
 			conn.SetVerdict(network.VerdictDrop, "", "", nil)
-			verdict = conn.Verdict.Active
+			verdict = conn.Verdict
 			activeInspectors[key] = true
 		case STOP_INSPECTING:
 			activeInspectors[key] = true
diff --git a/firewall/interception/windowskext/kext.go b/firewall/interception/windowskext/kext.go
index 351d1b747..a7e6a1c36 100644
--- a/firewall/interception/windowskext/kext.go
+++ b/firewall/interception/windowskext/kext.go
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ func UpdateVerdict(conn *network.Connection) error {
 		localPort:  conn.LocalPort,
 		remoteIP:   ipAddressToArray(conn.Entity.IP, isIpv6 == 1),
 		remotePort: conn.Entity.Port,
-		verdict:    uint8(conn.Verdict.Active),
+		verdict:    uint8(conn.Verdict),
 	}
 
 	// Make driver request
diff --git a/firewall/master.go b/firewall/master.go
index 4183d5610..8c4b1e596 100644
--- a/firewall/master.go
+++ b/firewall/master.go
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ func decideOnConnection(ctx context.Context, conn *network.Connection, pkt packe
 	case profile.DefaultActionAsk:
 		// Only prompt if there has not been a decision already.
 		// This prevents prompts from being created when re-evaluating connections.
-		if conn.Verdict.Firewall == network.VerdictUndecided {
+		if conn.Verdict == network.VerdictUndecided {
 			prompt(ctx, conn)
 		}
 	default:
diff --git a/firewall/packet_handler.go b/firewall/packet_handler.go
index 093df3191..65105e156 100644
--- a/firewall/packet_handler.go
+++ b/firewall/packet_handler.go
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/safing/portmaster/network"
 	"github.com/safing/portmaster/network/netutils"
 	"github.com/safing/portmaster/network/packet"
-	"github.com/safing/portmaster/network/reference"
 	"github.com/safing/portmaster/process"
 	"github.com/safing/spn/access"
 )
@@ -132,13 +131,13 @@ func resetConnectionVerdict(ctx context.Context, conn *network.Connection) (verd
 	}
 
 	tracer.Debugf("filter: re-evaluating verdict of %s", conn)
-	previousVerdict := conn.Verdict.Firewall
+	previousVerdict := conn.Verdict
 
 	// Apply privacy filter and check tunneling.
 	FilterConnection(ctx, conn, nil, true, true)
 
 	// Stop existing SPN tunnel if not needed anymore.
-	if conn.Verdict.Active != network.VerdictRerouteToTunnel && conn.TunnelContext != nil {
+	if conn.Verdict != network.VerdictRerouteToTunnel && conn.TunnelContext != nil {
 		err := conn.TunnelContext.StopTunnel()
 		if err != nil {
 			tracer.Debugf("filter: failed to stopped unneeded tunnel: %s", err)
@@ -146,7 +145,11 @@ func resetConnectionVerdict(ctx context.Context, conn *network.Connection) (verd
 	}
 
 	// Save if verdict changed.
-	if conn.Verdict.Firewall != previousVerdict {
+	if conn.Verdict != previousVerdict {
+		err := interception.UpdateVerdictOfConnection(conn)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Debugf("filter: failed to update connection verdict: %s", err)
+		}
 		conn.Save()
 		tracer.Infof("filter: verdict of connection %s changed from %s to %s", conn, previousVerdict.Verb(), conn.VerdictVerb())
 
@@ -368,16 +371,17 @@ func fastTrackHandler(conn *network.Connection, pkt packet.Packet) {
 	fastTrackedVerdict, permanent := fastTrackedPermit(conn, pkt)
 	if fastTrackedVerdict != network.VerdictUndecided {
 		// Set verdict on connection.
-		conn.Verdict.Active = fastTrackedVerdict
-		conn.Verdict.Firewall = fastTrackedVerdict
+		conn.Verdict = fastTrackedVerdict
+
 		// Apply verdict to (real) packet.
 		if !pkt.InfoOnly() {
 			issueVerdict(conn, pkt, fastTrackedVerdict, permanent)
 		}
+
 		// Stop handler if permanent.
 		if permanent {
 			conn.SetVerdict(fastTrackedVerdict, "fast-tracked", "", nil)
-			conn.Verdict.Worst = fastTrackedVerdict
+
 			// Do not finalize verdict, as we are missing necessary data.
 			conn.StopFirewallHandler()
 		}
@@ -447,7 +451,7 @@ func filterHandler(conn *network.Connection, pkt packet.Packet) {
 
 		// End directly, as no other processing is necessary.
 		conn.StopFirewallHandler()
-		finalizeVerdict(conn)
+
 		issueVerdict(conn, pkt, 0, true)
 		return
 	}
@@ -504,19 +508,17 @@ func FilterConnection(ctx context.Context, conn *network.Connection, pkt packet.
 		checkTunneling(ctx, conn)
 	}
 
-	// Handle verdict records and transitions.
-	finalizeVerdict(conn)
-
 	// Request tunneling if no tunnel is set and connection should be tunneled.
-	if conn.Verdict.Active == network.VerdictRerouteToTunnel &&
+	if conn.Verdict == network.VerdictRerouteToTunnel &&
 		conn.TunnelContext == nil {
 		err := requestTunneling(ctx, conn)
-		if err != nil {
+		if err == nil {
+			conn.ConnectionEstablished = true
+		} else {
 			// Set connection to failed, but keep tunneling data.
 			// The tunneling data makes connection easy to recognize as a failed SPN
 			// connection and the data will help with debugging and displaying in the UI.
 			conn.Failed(fmt.Sprintf("failed to request tunneling: %s", err), "")
-			finalizeVerdict(conn)
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -563,8 +565,8 @@ func issueVerdict(conn *network.Connection, pkt packet.Packet, verdict network.V
 	}
 
 	// do not allow to circumvent decision: e.g. to ACCEPT packets from a DROP-ed connection
-	if verdict < conn.Verdict.Active {
-		verdict = conn.Verdict.Active
+	if verdict < conn.Verdict {
+		verdict = conn.Verdict
 	}
 
 	var err error
@@ -622,53 +624,6 @@ var verdictRating = []network.Verdict{
 	network.VerdictUndecided,
 }
 
-func finalizeVerdict(conn *network.Connection) {
-	// Update worst verdict at the end.
-	defer func() {
-		for _, worstVerdict := range verdictRating {
-			if conn.Verdict.Firewall == worstVerdict {
-				conn.Verdict.Worst = worstVerdict
-			}
-		}
-	}()
-
-	// Check for non-applicable verdicts.
-	// The earlier and clearer we do this, the better.
-	switch conn.Verdict.Firewall { //nolint:exhaustive
-	case network.VerdictUndecided, network.VerdictUndeterminable, network.VerdictFailed:
-		if conn.Inbound {
-			conn.Verdict.Active = network.VerdictDrop
-		} else {
-			conn.Verdict.Active = network.VerdictBlock
-		}
-		return
-	}
-
-	// Apply firewall verdict to active verdict.
-	switch {
-	case conn.Verdict.Active == network.VerdictUndecided:
-		// Apply first verdict without change.
-		conn.Verdict.Active = conn.Verdict.Firewall
-
-	case conn.Verdict.Worst == network.VerdictBlock ||
-		conn.Verdict.Worst == network.VerdictDrop ||
-		conn.Verdict.Worst == network.VerdictFailed ||
-		conn.Verdict.Worst == network.VerdictUndeterminable:
-		// Always allow to change verdict from any real initial/worst non-allowed state.
-		// Note: This check needs to happen before updating the Worst verdict.
-		conn.Verdict.Active = conn.Verdict.Firewall
-
-	case reference.IsPacketProtocol(conn.Entity.Protocol):
-		// For known packet protocols, apply firewall verdict unchanged.
-		conn.Verdict.Active = conn.Verdict.Firewall
-
-	case conn.Verdict.Active != conn.Verdict.Firewall:
-		// For all other protocols (most notably, stream protocols), always block after the first change.
-		// Block in both directions, as there is a live connection, which we want to actively kill.
-		conn.Verdict.Active = network.VerdictBlock
-	}
-}
-
 // func tunnelHandler(pkt packet.Packet) {
 // 	tunnelInfo := GetTunnelInfo(pkt.Info().Dst)
 // 	if tunnelInfo == nil {
diff --git a/firewall/tunnel.go b/firewall/tunnel.go
index cadab2eaf..013bec7bb 100644
--- a/firewall/tunnel.go
+++ b/firewall/tunnel.go
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ func checkTunneling(ctx context.Context, conn *network.Connection) {
 	case conn.Inbound:
 		// Can't tunnel incoming connections.
 		return
-	case conn.Verdict.Firewall != network.VerdictAccept:
+	case conn.Verdict != network.VerdictAccept:
 		// Connection will be blocked.
 		return
 	case conn.IPProtocol != packet.TCP && conn.IPProtocol != packet.UDP:
diff --git a/nameserver/nameserver.go b/nameserver/nameserver.go
index 5243f8c4b..464db7825 100644
--- a/nameserver/nameserver.go
+++ b/nameserver/nameserver.go
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ func handleRequest(ctx context.Context, w dns.ResponseWriter, request *dns.Msg)
 			}
 		}
 
-		switch conn.Verdict.Active {
+		switch conn.Verdict {
 		// We immediately save blocked, dropped or failed verdicts so
 		// they pop up in the UI.
 		case network.VerdictBlock, network.VerdictDrop, network.VerdictFailed, network.VerdictRerouteToNameserver, network.VerdictRerouteToTunnel:
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ func handleRequest(ctx context.Context, w dns.ResponseWriter, request *dns.Msg)
 	}
 
 	// Check if there is a Verdict to act upon.
-	switch conn.Verdict.Active { //nolint:exhaustive // Only checking for specific values.
+	switch conn.Verdict { //nolint:exhaustive // Only checking for specific values.
 	case network.VerdictBlock, network.VerdictDrop, network.VerdictFailed:
 		tracer.Infof(
 			"nameserver: returning %s response for %s to %s",
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ func handleRequest(ctx context.Context, w dns.ResponseWriter, request *dns.Msg)
 	}
 
 	// Check if there is a Verdict to act upon.
-	switch conn.Verdict.Active { //nolint:exhaustive // Only checking for specific values.
+	switch conn.Verdict { //nolint:exhaustive // Only checking for specific values.
 	case network.VerdictBlock, network.VerdictDrop, network.VerdictFailed:
 		tracer.Infof(
 			"nameserver: returning %s response for %s to %s",
diff --git a/netquery/manager.go b/netquery/manager.go
index 810782a8b..34b779b5c 100644
--- a/netquery/manager.go
+++ b/netquery/manager.go
@@ -183,9 +183,7 @@ func convertConnection(conn *network.Connection) (*Conn, error) {
 		IPProtocol:      conn.IPProtocol,
 		LocalIP:         conn.LocalIP.String(),
 		LocalPort:       conn.LocalPort,
-		FirewallVerdict: conn.Verdict.Firewall,
-		ActiveVerdict:   conn.Verdict.Active,
-		WorstVerdict:    conn.Verdict.Worst,
+		ActiveVerdict:   conn.Verdict,
 		Started:         time.Unix(conn.Started, 0),
 		Tunneled:        conn.Tunneled,
 		Encrypted:       conn.Encrypted,
@@ -207,16 +205,7 @@ func convertConnection(conn *network.Connection) (*Conn, error) {
 		c.Type = ""
 	}
 
-	switch conn.Verdict.Firewall {
-	case network.VerdictAccept, network.VerdictRerouteToNameserver, network.VerdictRerouteToTunnel:
-		accepted := true
-		c.Allowed = &accepted
-	case network.VerdictBlock, network.VerdictDrop:
-		allowed := false
-		c.Allowed = &allowed
-	case network.VerdictUndecided, network.VerdictUndeterminable, network.VerdictFailed:
-		c.Allowed = nil
-	}
+	c.Allowed = &conn.ConnectionEstablished
 
 	if conn.Ended > 0 {
 		ended := time.Unix(conn.Ended, 0)
diff --git a/network/api.go b/network/api.go
index 4635b49aa..c59b5aaf6 100644
--- a/network/api.go
+++ b/network/api.go
@@ -139,8 +139,8 @@ func AddNetworkDebugData(di *debug.Info, profile, where string) {
 		debugConns    []*Connection
 		accepted      int
 		total         int
-		transitioning int
 	)
+	
 	for maybeConn := range it.Next {
 		// Switch to correct type.
 		conn, ok := maybeConn.(*Connection)
@@ -169,15 +169,13 @@ func AddNetworkDebugData(di *debug.Info, profile, where string) {
 
 		// Count.
 		total++
-		switch conn.Verdict.Firewall { //nolint:exhaustive
+		switch conn.Verdict { //nolint:exhaustive
 		case VerdictAccept,
 			VerdictRerouteToNameserver,
 			VerdictRerouteToTunnel:
+
 			accepted++
 		}
-		if conn.Verdict.Active != conn.Verdict.Firewall {
-			transitioning++
-		}
 
 		// Add to list.
 		debugConns = append(debugConns, conn)
@@ -186,10 +184,9 @@ func AddNetworkDebugData(di *debug.Info, profile, where string) {
 	// Add it all.
 	di.AddSection(
 		fmt.Sprintf(
-			"Network: %d/%d [~%d] Connections",
+			"Network: %d/%d Connections",
 			accepted,
 			total,
-			transitioning,
 		),
 		debug.UseCodeSection|debug.AddContentLineBreaks,
 		buildNetworkDebugInfoData(debugConns),
diff --git a/network/api_test.go b/network/api_test.go
index 0e908c8ca..626475271 100644
--- a/network/api_test.go
+++ b/network/api_test.go
@@ -40,15 +40,7 @@ var connectionTestData = []*Connection{
 			Country:       "",
 			ASN:           0,
 		},
-		Verdict: struct {
-			Worst    Verdict
-			Active   Verdict
-			Firewall Verdict
-		}{
-			Worst:    2,
-			Active:   2,
-			Firewall: 2,
-		},
+		Verdict: 2,
 		Reason: Reason{
 			Msg:       "incoming connection blocked by default",
 			OptionKey: "filter/serviceEndpoints",
@@ -88,15 +80,7 @@ var connectionTestData = []*Connection{
 			Country:       "DE",
 			ASN:           16509,
 		},
-		Verdict: struct {
-			Worst    Verdict
-			Active   Verdict
-			Firewall Verdict
-		}{
-			Worst:    2,
-			Active:   2,
-			Firewall: 2,
-		},
+		Verdict: 2,
 		Reason: Reason{
 			Msg:       "default permit",
 			OptionKey: "filter/defaultAction",
@@ -139,15 +123,7 @@ var connectionTestData = []*Connection{
 			Country: "US",
 			ASN:     15169,
 		},
-		Verdict: struct {
-			Worst    Verdict
-			Active   Verdict
-			Firewall Verdict
-		}{
-			Worst:    2,
-			Active:   2,
-			Firewall: 2,
-		},
+		Verdict: 2,
 		Reason: Reason{
 			Msg:       "default permit",
 			OptionKey: "filter/defaultAction",
diff --git a/network/connection.go b/network/connection.go
index 6954b0f1d..b1ed96fe1 100644
--- a/network/connection.go
+++ b/network/connection.go
@@ -121,17 +121,9 @@ type Connection struct { //nolint:maligned // TODO: fix alignment
 	// Verdict holds the decisions that are made for a connection
 	// The verdict may change so any access to it must be guarded by the
 	// connection lock.
-	Verdict struct {
-		// Worst verdict holds the worst verdict that was assigned to this
-		// connection from a privacy/security perspective.
-		Worst Verdict
-		// Active verdict holds the verdict that Portmaster will respond with.
-		// This is different from the Firewall verdict in order to guarantee proper
-		// transition between verdicts that need the connection to be re-established.
-		Active Verdict
-		// Firewall holds the last (most recent) decision by the firewall.
-		Firewall Verdict
-	}
+	Verdict Verdict
+	// Whether or not the connection has been established at least once.
+	ConnectionEstablished bool
 	// Reason holds information justifying the verdict, as well as additional
 	// information about the reason.
 	// Access to Reason must be guarded by the connection lock.
@@ -722,22 +714,15 @@ func (conn *Connection) SetVerdict(newVerdict Verdict, reason, reasonOptionKey s
 	return true // TODO: remove
 }
 
-// SetVerdictDirectly sets the firewall verdict.
+// SetVerdictDirectly sets the verdict.
 func (conn *Connection) SetVerdictDirectly(newVerdict Verdict) {
-	conn.Verdict.Firewall = newVerdict
+	conn.Verdict = newVerdict
 }
 
 // VerdictVerb returns the verdict as a verb, while taking any special states
 // into account.
 func (conn *Connection) VerdictVerb() string {
-	if conn.Verdict.Firewall == conn.Verdict.Active {
-		return conn.Verdict.Firewall.Verb()
-	}
-	return fmt.Sprintf(
-		"%s (transitioning to %s)",
-		conn.Verdict.Active.Verb(),
-		conn.Verdict.Firewall.Verb(),
-	)
+	return conn.Verdict.Verb()
 }
 
 // DataIsComplete returns whether all information about the connection is
@@ -766,6 +751,14 @@ func (conn *Connection) SaveWhenFinished() {
 func (conn *Connection) Save() {
 	conn.UpdateMeta()
 
+	switch conn.Verdict {
+	case VerdictAccept, VerdictRerouteToNameserver:
+		conn.ConnectionEstablished = true
+	case VerdictRerouteToTunnel:
+		// this is already handled when the connection tunnel has been
+		// established.
+	}
+
 	// Do not save/update until data is complete.
 	if !conn.DataIsComplete() {
 		return
@@ -1003,7 +996,7 @@ func packetHandlerHandleConn(ctx context.Context, conn *Connection, pkt packet.P
 	switch {
 	case conn.DataIsComplete():
 		tracer.Infof("filter: connection %s %s: %s", conn, conn.VerdictVerb(), conn.Reason.Msg)
-	case conn.Verdict.Firewall != VerdictUndecided:
+	case conn.Verdict != VerdictUndecided:
 		tracer.Debugf("filter: connection %s fast-tracked", pkt)
 	default:
 		tracer.Debugf("filter: gathered data on connection %s", conn)
diff --git a/network/dns.go b/network/dns.go
index 4f481b320..a0bef466f 100644
--- a/network/dns.go
+++ b/network/dns.go
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ func writeOpenDNSRequestsToDB() {
 // ReplyWithDNS creates a new reply to the given request with the data from the RRCache, and additional informational records.
 func (conn *Connection) ReplyWithDNS(ctx context.Context, request *dns.Msg) *dns.Msg {
 	// Select request responder.
-	switch conn.Verdict.Active {
+	switch conn.Verdict {
 	case VerdictBlock:
 		return nsutil.BlockIP().ReplyWithDNS(ctx, request)
 	case VerdictDrop:
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ func (conn *Connection) ReplyWithDNS(ctx context.Context, request *dns.Msg) *dns
 func (conn *Connection) GetExtraRRs(ctx context.Context, request *dns.Msg) []dns.RR {
 	// Select level to add the verdict record with.
 	var level log.Severity
-	switch conn.Verdict.Active {
+	switch conn.Verdict {
 	case VerdictFailed:
 		level = log.ErrorLevel
 	case VerdictUndecided, VerdictUndeterminable,
diff --git a/network/metrics.go b/network/metrics.go
index 7101e9218..66f19e1b1 100644
--- a/network/metrics.go
+++ b/network/metrics.go
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ func (conn *Connection) addToMetrics() {
 	}
 
 	// Check the verdict.
-	switch conn.Verdict.Firewall { //nolint:exhaustive // Not critical.
+	switch conn.Verdict { //nolint:exhaustive // Not critical.
 	case VerdictBlock, VerdictDrop:
 		blockedOutConnCounter.Inc()
 		conn.addedToMetrics = true