by David Gunter

Created on: February 06, 2010

Everyday new pieces of malware and spyware are unleashed on the web, looking for unprotected users to infect. Fortunately, there are many different programs that can stop these infections in their tracks. One of the best tools you can use for combating malware and spyware is a firewall. A firewall is either a piece of computer hardware or computer software that blocks malicious or unauthorized connections while still allowing connections on a “whitelist,” or a list of authorized connections. Nowadays, every computer using Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, or 7 includes a built-in firewall. In order to maintain a secure computer, however, users must be able to make sure their firewall is properly protecting them from malware and spyware.

As mentioned earlier, all modern Microsoft operating systems come with an included firewall by the name of “Windows Defender.” While in most cases the include firewall is already pre-configured, it is always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the controls in case something goes wrong or you wish to change settings later on.

To access Windows Defender firewall settings, you must first navigate to the control panel. To do this, click on “Start” then “Control Panel” on the right side of the pop-up menu. Once the control panel is open, click on either “Security Center” or “Windows Firewall.” You will now be presented with a window that will list several options. Let's go into what these settings mean.

The “On” setting means the firewall is activated and is functioning normally. In this mode, Windows Defender's firewall will block most programs from communicating with the Internet. In the event that you need to unblock a program from the firewall, all you need to do is simply edit the exceptions list (which can usually be found under the “exceptions” tab in the same window). This setting is generally sufficient for most users and should not be adjusted.

The “block all incoming connections” setting will limit access to all unauthorized attempts to connect to your PC. This setting is generally used for situations when a higher level of security is needed, such as a public WiFi hotspot. Please note that all exceptions created on the exceptions list will be ignored when this option is turned on.

Finally, the “Off” setting turns Windows Defender's firewall completely off. By disabling the firewall, you are allowing all connections, both inbound and outbound, to connect to your PC. This option should rarely be used unless you already have another firewall installed on your computer.

If you are using an alternative firewall, please be sure to consult either the company's website or the manual that came with the software. Here are some of the support websites for popular firewall companies:

http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/support/tech nical-support.htm

http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/

http://support.kaspersky.com/faq/?qid=208279504

In conclusion, firewalls are the first line of defense for a computer. They actively filter both inbound and outbound connections to your PC, blocking most spyware and malware infections. Keep in mind that a firewall should be complemented by anti-virus software. By becoming familiar with the firewall settings, a user can better maintain his or her PC and ward off any malware or spyware.

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