IgNiTeD SoUL

A firewall is an important component of a larger overall security strategy. Windows 7 comes with a built-in firewall that’s turned on and working from the moment you first start your computer.

The firewall is automatically configured to prevent unsolicited Internet traffic from getting into your computer, thereby protecting you from worms and other hack attempts. The 7 firewall also provides advanced options for professional network and security administrators who need more granular control over its behavior. In Detail:

• Exceptions in Windows Firewall are programs that are allowed to work through the firewall.
• A firewall will not protect your computer from viruses, pop-up ads, or junk e-mail.
• A firewall protects your computer from unsolicited network traffic, which is a major cause of worms and other hack attempts.
• When you start an Internet program that needs access to the Internet through a closed port, you’ll be given a security alert with options to Unblock, or Keep Blocking, the port. You must choose Unblock to use that program.
• Windows Firewall is one of the programs in the Security Center. To open Security Center, click the Start button and choose Control Panel ➪ Security ➪ Security Center.
• You don’t need to configure the firewall to use standard Internet services such as the Web and e-mail. Those will work through the firewall automatically.
• Professional network and security administrators can configure Windows Firewall through the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security console in Administrative Tools.
• From the Start menu, you can search on the keyword fire to get to Windows Firewall configuration options.