Loading...Computers with Windows already includes a default firewall application that offers basic protection and where you can create custom rules for incoming and outgoing connections. Once you are in a local network or you connect to the internet, is good to have always activated a firewall application.
Windows Firewall is included since Windows XP and can be successfully used for a standard protection. Is easy to use and to understand, you can block or allow desired programs, ports to access the outside area of your PC or to be accessed from network (local or internet).
1. Access default Windows Firewall
Check for this application, because is not visible on desktop (is included in Control Panel) and make sure that is turned on.
You can click on Start and then search for firewall or you can go to Control Panel and then toSecurity section.
2. Turn on/off
You can easily turn on or off the application. You have separate menus for home network and for public network.
3. Create custom rules
If you want to do more than automatic or default protection that Windows Firewall offers, you can access Advanced settings. From here you can create custom rules for incoming or outgoing connections and for internet connectivity.
4. Intuitive to use
Creating new rules and exploring all kind of options is easy even for beginners. You have step by step wizards that makes your task easy. You can block programs to access the internet, you can block certain ports for incoming or outgoing activity.
5. Filter and Export data to text document
You can filter and sort all rules, also you can export rules to a TXT or CSV format.
6. Customize menu
You can add or remove columns from the menu.
7. Test result
I have tested computer with Windows Firewall default program using different online services and results are good, the firewall is blocking unsolicited packets.
- Visit website: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/windows-firewall
- Pros: easy to use is included in Windows
- Cons: application is not visible on desktop, you may even don’t know it exists
- OS: Windows 8, Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit, Windows XP, Vista
- License: Freeware
