How to Create Advanced Firewall Rules in the Windows 7 Firewall
How to Create Advanced Firewall Rules in the Windows 7 Firewall Windows’ built-in firewall hides the ability to create powerful firewall rules. Block programs from accessing the Internet, use a whitelist to control network access, restrict traffic to specific ports and IP addresses, and more – all without installing another firewall.
The firewall includes three different profiles, so you can apply different rules to private and public networks. These options are included in the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security snap-in, which first appeared in Windows Vista.
Accessing the Interface
There are a variety of ways to pull up the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security window. One of the most obvious is from the Windows Firewall control panel – click the Advanced settings link in the sidebar. You can also type “Windows Firewall” into the search box in the Start menu and select the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security application. Configuring Network Profiles
The Windows firewall uses three different profiles:
• Domain Profile: Used when your computer is connected to a domain.
• Private: Used when connected to a private network, such as a work or home network.
• Public: Used when connected to a public network, such as a public Wi-Fi access point or a direct connection to the Internet.
Windows asks whether a network is public or private when you first connect to it.
A computer may use multiple profiles, depending on the situation. For example, a business laptop may use the domain profile when connected to a domain at work, the private profile when connected to a home network, and the public profile when connected to a public Wi-Fi network – all in the same day. Click the Windows Firewall Properties link to configure the firewall profiles.
The firewall properties window contains a separate tab for each profile. Windows blocks inbound connections and allows outbound connections for all profiles by default, but you can block all outbound
The firewall includes three different profiles, so you can apply different rules to private and public networks. These options are included in the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security snap-in, which first appeared in Windows Vista.
Accessing the Interface
There are a variety of ways to pull up the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security window. One of the most obvious is from the Windows Firewall control panel – click the Advanced settings link in the sidebar. You can also type “Windows Firewall” into the search box in the Start menu and select the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security application. Configuring Network Profiles
The Windows firewall uses three different profiles:
• Domain Profile: Used when your computer is connected to a domain.
• Private: Used when connected to a private network, such as a work or home network.
• Public: Used when connected to a public network, such as a public Wi-Fi access point or a direct connection to the Internet.
Windows asks whether a network is public or private when you first connect to it.
A computer may use multiple profiles, depending on the situation. For example, a business laptop may use the domain profile when connected to a domain at work, the private profile when connected to a home network, and the public profile when connected to a public Wi-Fi network – all in the same day. Click the Windows Firewall Properties link to configure the firewall profiles.
The firewall properties window contains a separate tab for each profile. Windows blocks inbound connections and allows outbound connections for all profiles by default, but you can block all outbound