Windows FireWall Advanced

[VegasDen]

Not sure if anyone had seen this...but there is a pretty powerful Firewall built into Windows. It filters both inbound & outbound traffic...comparible to any commercial firewall out there. You have to be pretty specific with your rule setting...

Don't go to Control panel ...instead in "run/search" type: wf.msc

Here's what it looks like:

 

[Airbot]

You can also go to Control Panel-Administrative Tools-Windows Firewall With Advanced Security or go to Control Panel-Windows Firewall-Advanced Settings.

 

[Brink]

You can also use this free program Vista Firewall Control by Sphinx to make is easier to use to.

 

[Ex_Brit]

I've tried configuring WF and even downloaded VFC by Sphinx to help with using it like any software firewall, i.e. protecting both incoming and outgoing traffic.

All to no avail I'm afraid. Just too complicated for me. Back to the default settings, otherwise half my stuff doesn't work. Why can't MS design it to use Yes/No permission pop-ups like any other application?

Fired off yet another Feedback Form.

 

[Ex_Brit]

Bump...does anyone know how to configure outbound? Whenever I enable it I lose all internet connection and I've looked everywhere but can't find a place to put an exception. The VFC tool fails to prompt for this exception.

I created a new rule which allows all programs outbound connection, but I'm sure that defeats the security somehow.

 

[VegasDen]

Bump...does anyone know how to configure outbound?

Here are a few how-to's:
MSDN
Support for Vista (same as win7 I believe)
TechRepublic

From what I read, it is a very powerful firewall...but a bear to set-up. In other words, not average consumer friendly...

 

[Ex_Brit]

Tell me about it....

Thanks for the links.....:sarc:

 

[bonzai]

Bump...does anyone know how to configure outbound? Whenever I enable it I lose all internet connection and I've looked everywhere but can't find a place to put an exception. The VFC tool fails to prompt for this exception.

I created a new rule which allows all programs outbound connection, but I'm sure that defeats the security somehow.

Here is an example of allowing Firefox through inbound rules on an x64 Windows 7 install. Just do the same steps for outbound:

just noticed I misnumbered steps, there is no step 6 go from step 5 to step 7

 

[Ex_Brit]

Thanks. I see I'll have to make more specific rules outbound than a mere "allow all" one that I have now. I'm using the Vista Firewall Control tool but it doesn't seem to want to help with outbound, only inbound. I guess one has to pay for that privilege.