How to configure Windows Vista / Windows 7 Firewall

Overall, using Vista's built-in firewall is not hard.  However, the initial steps can seem difficult, so we will 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 (recommended) button and press OK
  
  

Your computer is now 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.

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.  However, 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 dialog 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.