Windows 7: Turning On The Windows Firewall

Probably a lame title that's been recycled a bunch of times, but none of the other answers seem to properly address this issue.



Just how does one turn on the firewall?

The shields are green, I check what programs are permitted to access the internet.

Internet Explorer access's the internet.

Internet Explorer is not on the list of programs that are permitted to access the internet.

Therefor: Firewall is off.

I'm pretty sure that Internet Explorer is not on the list because it is a core component of Windows. To test your firewall go to the following site: https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2. Click proceed, and then run the first two test (File Sharing and Common ports). As long as those pass ok I wouldn't worry too much.

Welcome to SevenForums.

Your conclusion is false.

Window 7 firewall has a rather extensive set of default firewall settings.

Configuring Windows Firewall and IPsec - Windows 7 Tutorial

Colin,
CONTROL PANEL | WINDOWS FIREWALL

You should see something similar, but of course different to:

Thanks for the welcome. :-)

Ok, saw all that.

Deleted everything. Anything can still access the internet, from Lynx to Media Player.

Now, how do I set the firewall up to ask me permission on each and every program or process that wants to access the internet.

I want the firewall to deliver a popup asking the user "is this a program which you want to allow access to the internet?".

A bit about me.
I'm a hardware / software system engineer.
And a bit used to programs with clear and user friendly interfaces.

Run as a standard user and Win 7 will prompt you.

Created a standard user account, still no prompts.

Well Colin, I'm a little confused at what exactly you are expecting Win 7 to do because Win 7, with MSE, is safer than any other operating system.

However, since you indicate that you have some expertise, then:

Firewall
Creating and Configuring Fiewall Rules

Disabling Network Discovery Network Resources

How to Enable Win 7 Firewall Outbound Protection

How to manage Windows Firewall settings using Gorup Policy

Maximumpcguides - How to Manage the Windows 7 Firewall

Outbound blocking for Windows Firewall

Overview of Windows Firewall with Advanced Security

Prevent a Program from Accessing the Internet using the Windows 7 Firewall — MAXIMUMpcguides –

Windows 7 tips, tricks, help, and how-to guides

Rules for a VoIP Firewall

Sphinx-soft Win 7 Firewall Control

Windows 7 Firewall Outbound Protection

Windows Event Viewer tips and tricks

Windows Firewall Resources - Technet

Windows Firewall Tutorial - Source Daddy

Windows Firewall with Advanced Security and IPsec

Windows Firewall with Advanced Security Learning Roadmap

This is going to take a bit for me to wade through. At this point, I'm really tempted to install a third party system which is easier to read and understand.

By default, Windows firewall only controls incoming connections that arrive at your PC, but does nothing to prevent outgoing connections like IE or whatever. The control panel applet also cannot enable that. You need to use the "firewall with advanced security" to access it, located in administrative tools on the control panel. There you can enable it to block outgoing connections that aren't covered by a rule, and it's there that you must allow the browser to access internet.


You can't do that with Windows firewall, period. It's very limited in this regard, it will block connections according to its rules, but will never notify you when it blocks something or allows something, just because it doesn't have that feature.


Maybe you're confusing a firewall notification with an UAC elevation prompt, but as the Windows Firewall has no ability to notify on blocked connection, account type doesn't really matters at all.


hehehehe. Really, you can't be serious. We all know that Windows is the heaven for hackers and viruses, and every techinical review point in that direction. And, by the way, MSE is also a joke of an antivirus in comparison with more advanced solutions.


Generally, third party firewalls have a better coverage and protection and not being the number one target is also an advantage too. I may suggest that you don't hesitate and download one if you don't like the integrated thing.