MedEd IT: Documentation - Firewall - Windows Vista (SP 1) - Basic

The same way previous Windows versions had a firewall built in, the Windows Vista Firewall is present for the same purpose - to protect you from the outside world. Unless you use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), your firewall, together with your antivirus software (eg. Sophos) will shield your computer from incoming threats.

UCSD Minimum Network Security Standards require firewall and antivirus protection for all devices connected to the UCSD network. Regular back up and staying current with security patches will also help protect your system.

How to use Windows Vista Firewall

Using Vista's built-in firewall is not hard at all, but the start seems to be the hardest part, as always, so let us guide you...

• Open your computer's Control Panel (either found on the desktop as an icon or by clicking on the Windows button on the bottom left), and choose Check this computer's security status
  
• The Windows Security Center windows opens, you'll notice Firewall as the first item on the list, be sure that the Firewall is marked as On.
  
• If the firewall is OFF, click the Windows Firewall link located in the left pane and then choose Change Settings
  
• In the Windows Firewall window that opens, select the On button and press OK
  

You are now sure that the your computer is protected from unwanted network connections.

To take care of things the right way, you should create exceptions for the programs you want to allow to connect to the network or Internet and don't have predefined exceptions already.

How to Create Exceptions

Creating exceptions can be done 3 different ways:

1. Click Unblock when Windows Vista Firewall blocks a program and asks you what to do
2. Set up a program exception in the Exceptions tab
3. Open a port in the Exceptions tab in the firewall.

The easiest way is to let the program ask you what to do, but sometimes you need to set the exception manually first, so let's see how this can be done.

• Open Control Panel and click on "Allow a program through Windows firewall" under the Security section
  
• Make sure the Exceptions tab is selected and click Add Program
  
• Once the Add A Program dialogue box appears, choose the program for which to allow connections, or simply click Browse and select the program from your computer, click OK to add the program to the Exception list.