Beginner Series
To check and see that the firewall built into Windows Vista is running.
Choose start -> Control Panel -> Security -> Windows Firewall
The Windows Firewall settings window opens. Unless you have a third party firewall running the Windows Firewall should be on and the box will be green stating the Windows Firewall is protecting your computer. The second picture shows what the dialog looks like with the Firewall turned off.
The next tab labeled Exceptions is where programs that need to communicate through the Windows Firewall are set. On this machine I am using the new Live Mesh services from Microsoft, and this service will keep my documents and folders that I have selected synchronized on both my laptop and desktop computers, and Live Mesh also allows me to remote control the computer that I am not currently using. Because of this Live Mesh needs to be able to connect through my firewall. Other programs that might add entries to the Windows Firewall are Microsoft Outlook, Symantec Email, and Cyber Link Power Director. If you did not add these exceptions check the manufacturer or the manufactures web site for more information.
The Advanced tab contains the Network connections dialog. Checking or removing the check mark from a connection turns the firewall on or off. In my example I have it turned on for both my wireless card and my Local Area Connection or the wired connection.
The Windows Vista Firewall is on by default, but installing a 3rd party firewall from another company like Symantec will prompt you to allow the installer to turn off the Windows firewall, which you should allow.
Running two software firewalls on the same computer is not recommended.
Matthew L. Davidson
Lexington KY
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