Windows 7 Firewall features

Posted Date: 27-Jul-2010		Category: Microsoft Windows
Author: D.Jeya Kumar(JK)	Member Level: Diamond
Rating:	Points: 25 (Rs 18)

This article explains Windows 7 firewall's new and enhanced features which gives more control on Firewall and includes multiple profiles for each connection type.

Windows 7 Firewall features

Firewall is one of the most important security software for any computer. Windows 7 includes firewall to protect the computer against Malware, Malicious software and unwanted programs from internet and intranet. Firewall will monitor the incoming and outgoing connections. Windows XP includes first built in firewall for Windows OS. Windows 7 firewall is flexible to use and configure the settings.

Windows 7 firewall includes more options to configure the firewall and it seen in control panel. Windows 7 includes advanced settings will provide more options and ports at the granular level will have more control over the firewall.

Windows 7 firewall includes Home or work (private) networks and Public networks settings, so that separate settings can be done for the Home network and as well as public network.

Using Home network option you can see the computers that are connected to the network private network. We can share files or folders to the networked computer. You can change the settings to disable the access to the shared folder and files.

Public network should be configured in order to reduce the risk, because public network connections are not secured network, so do not use bank web sites or other sites that requires personal or sensitive information. By default it will notify the unauthorised incoming connection to the computer.

Windows 7 Firewall customization

Notifications can be modified by using Change notifications settings on the left side of the Windows firewall. By default for both the private and public connections firewall will block all the programs that are not added in the firewall list.

In Windows 7 we can create multiple profiles and it can be applied to the private and public network. Each connection will use the assigned profile and it will use the rules that are configured in the profiles.

Windows 7 firewall advanced features

Using advanced settings you can configure more advanced settings and you can set specific rules and it can be applied to ports. Connection security support dynamic encryption. From Advanced settings you can create profiles that includes domain, private, public profiles

Each profile can be configured for

Firewall state which is on by default and you can change it to off, but it is not recommended

Inbound connections which is block by default and you can change the settings to either Allow or Block all incoming connections

Outbound connections which is block by default and you can change the settings to either allow or Block all Outgoing connections

you can customize the protected network connections for Wireless Network Connection, local Area Connection and Bluetooth network Connection

In Settings you can change the default behaviour of the firewall by notifications, Rules

Logging facility allows changing the change the path, size of the log file and you can modify the log to allow logging the dropped packets and successful connections, by default both are not enabled. By default log files will be saved in the Windows system32 folder

netsh command will allow Windows 7 for the backward compatibility. You need to use netsh advfirewall firewall

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