Firewall Configuration: Well this is where windows 7 will really come in handy. No longer does the Windows firewall pop up with a screen and give you three tabs to configure port names and type to block or unblock. It is a true firewall in the sense that it is feature rich and you have to configure rules just like a hardware router or firewall.
When you first click on the firewall it will tell you the different Home, Work, and Public networks you are connected to. Each one can be configured individually. This gives you a lot of flexibility when you connect to multiple networks.
There are four options available.
- The first option is called, “Allow a program or feature through the Windows Firewall.” If you need to allow a well known game or application this is the easiest place to go to allow it. Click and it will bring up a box with a check list. All you have to do is check the services or applications you want to allow and click Ok.
- The second option is, “Change notification settings”. Basically this gives you options to make the little flag on the Start Bar.
- The third option is “Turn Windows Firewall on or off”. This one is a no brainer. If you choose off, which goes against my recommendations, all the connections loose the firewall protection.
- The fourth option is called, “Advanced Settings” which is for advanced users!
Done!
