How do I enable the firewall?

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Those who have at least an initial idea ofhow the Internet works, they know that information on the network is transmitted in packets - blocks of data having a certain structure and content. To prevent dangerous data from entering your computer through the network, it has a firewall or firewall installed. It prevents unauthorized access from outside to your computer networks and to their individual nodes, and also prevents access to deliberately unprotected services, etc.

In this article we will show you how to enable the firewall in Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems, and also in Windows 8.

Windows Vista and Windows 7

Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systemsare shipped with a pre-installed firewall from Microsoft. However, this function can be both turned on and off at will of the user.

Before you start to configure, we want toTo draw your attention to the fact that only one firewall can be started on the computer. If you want to run the default Windows Firewall, make sure that the anti-virus or any other security software installed on your computer does not use its own firewall.

Enabling the firewall:

Click Start.
In the search box, type the word Firewall and select Windows Firewall from the list.
You will see the current state of the firewall.
In the menu on the left, locate the Enable or Disable Windows Firewall option.
Check Enable Windows Firewall, andAlso tick the additional security settings. You can activate the blocking of all incoming connections, which will give your device maximum protection, especially if you use public networks, for example, in a hotel or in a cafe. However, in this mode, you will not be able to exchange through the firewall the data in the programs included in the list of allowed. Also, you can connect the notification about the blocking of new programs that were not previously used on your computer.
After all the necessary settings have been configured, click OK.

It is not recommended to disable the firewall, except when you have any problems with the software or when you plan to install a new firewall.

Windows 8 and Windows 8.1

Connecting and disabling the firewall in Windows 8 is done through the Control Panel.

Log in to your account.
Before you will appear a desktop, made in the new design interface Metro.
Move the cursor to the lower right corner of the screen. On the right, you will see a pop-up Windows Sidebar.
Click on Control Panel.
Select System and Security. In the window that opens, select Windows Firewall.
In the menu on the left, locate the Enable or Disable Windows Firewall option.
Configure the firewall to work in private and public networks. The principle of operation here is exactly the same as with previous versions of Windows operating systems.
Click OK.

Windows XP

If you are still using Windows XP, you will need to do the following to enable the firewall:

Open Start - Control Panel.
Open the Security Center category.
In Security Settings, click Windows Firewall.
On the General tab, select the Enable check box (recommended).
In the next tab of the exception, you can add programs that will skip the data packets through the firewall as an exception.

Attention! Always carefully study the programs that you add to the exceptions, since it is possible that such permission may request a file with malicious code.