Enable the Windows Vista Firewall

written by: Mihai Giovali; article published: year 2008, month 03;


  

In: Categories » Computers and technology » Windows » Enable the Windows Vista Firewall

1. Choose Start➪Control Panel➪Check This Computer’s Security Status.

2. In the Windows Security Center window that appears, check that the Windows Firewall is marked as On. If it isn’t, click the Windows Firewall link in the left pane of the window and then click the Change Settings link in the resulting dialog box.

3. In the resulting Windows Firewall window, select the On radio button and then click OK.

4. Click the Close button to close Windows Security Center and the Control Panel.

A firewall is a program that protects your computer from the outside world. This is generally a good thing, unless you use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Using a firewall with a VPN results in you being unable to share files and use some other VPN features.

Antivirus and security software programs may offer their own firewall protection and may display a message asking if you want to switch. Check their features against Windows and then decide, but usually most firewall features are comparable. The important thing is to have one activated.

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