Transcript

Configuring your own firewall (PC)

If you have Windows 7, go to the Start menu. Choose Control Panel, and then System And Security.

One of the options is for Windows Firewall. Click it. Click Turn Windows Firewall On or Off. You may need to enter an administrator password depending on how your Windows is set up. If the firewall is not already active, click Turn on Windows Firewall for each of the network types that your computer supports. The Windows Firewall gives you a range of options depending on how much data you wish to allow through the firewall.

When the firewall is first activated, the majority of applications are automatically blocked. But you can overrule this block by checking the Notify Me check box when the Windows Firewall blocks a new app.

From now on, every time an application first attempts to connect to the network, Windows will prompt you, asking if you wish to give it permission to do so. Your choice is remembered by the firewall. You should only give permission if you are sure the application is safe.

If you want to get maximum protection from the firewall, select the Block All Incoming Connections option, including those in the list of allowed apps. This will prevent other computers connecting to your machine unless your computer has requested data. This is a very useful option if you're travelling and using public Wi-Fi networks.