Windows 7 Tips & Tricks

Windows Firewall : Setup, Configuration & General Use

A Firewall is a software Program or a dedicated Computer that restricts or allows Traffic on a Network. These Networks are of various types, the most common are an Internet (a public Network), an Intranet (a private Network) and Domains (a group of Computers - public or private). The main reasons for restricting Traffic on a computer Network is to block unrequested Data and to allow\disallow a software Program's (Skype, Firefox, etc.) access to the Network. The Windows 7 Firewall is a Software Firewall and is pre-installed as a part of the Operating System. It blocks both inbound and outbound Traffic, is capable of logging and allows for custom Rule creation. Rules are the Instructions the Firewall follows for the handling of network Traffic. Rules are based on IP Addresses, Protocols, Ports and Programs. A Firewall Policy usually refers to the entire set of Rules (inbound, outbound & etc.) for a Network. The Windows 7 Firewall allows for the simultaneous implementation of Firewall Rules for each separate type of Network. This ability is an upgrade from the Windows Vista Firewall which only allows the implementation of one Network Policy (public, private or domain) at any given time. The above Video shows how I access the Windows 7 Firewall, create Rules for it and back-up\restore the a Firewall Policy.

Example Firewall Policies :

Windows7_NoFileShare This is an example back-up of a Firewall Policy for the Windows 7 Firewall. It tries to block most Traffic outbound and inbound, while still allowing common activity. It is not complete by any stretch of the imagination, but there are many useful rules included in it. It is given as an example of the Rules you may want to use in your Windows 7 Firewall Policy. To use it, simply import it into your Windows 7 Firewall. Select "Block All Incoming Connections" for extra security with this Policy under the simple Firewall Interface.

Windows7_FileShare This is an example back-up of a Firewall Policy for the Windows 7 Firewall. It has File Sharing allowed for both private and domain Networks. It is not complete by any stretch of the imagination, but there are many useful rules included in it. It is given as an example of the Rules you may want to use in your Windows 7 Firewall Policy. To use it, simply import it into your Windows 7 Firewall.