Configuring Windows Firewall and Network Access Protection

If you are ever unsure about whether Windows Firewall is blocking or allowing traffic, you should enable logging, re-create the problem you’re having, and then examine the log files. Use the buttons below to navigate through the lesson Right click Windows Firewall with Advanced Security. Select Properties. Click Customize. Enable logging by selecting Yes from…

By default, Windows Firewall allows all outbound traffic. Allowing outbound traffic is far less risky than allowing inbound traffic. However, outbound traffic still carries some risk: Use the buttons below to navigate through the lesson If malware infects a computer, it might send outbound traffic containing confidential data (such as content from a Microsoft SQL…

By default, Windows Firewall (as well as most other firewalls) blocks any inbound traffic that hasn’t been specifically allowed. By default, the Public profile allows absolutely no incoming connections—this provides excellent security when connecting to public hotspots or other non trusted networks. The Domain and Private profiles allow some incoming connections, such as connections for…

Windows Firewall filters incoming traffic to help block unwanted network traffic. Optionally, Windows Firewall can also filter outgoing traffic to help limit the risk of malware. Although Windows Firewall’s default settings will work well with components built into Windows, they might prevent other applications from functioning correctly. Windows Firewall’s default settings can also be significantly…