

When the Windows Firewall is turned off, it’s fair game for any app– regardless of whether you trust it or not. You can choose what apps can go through the firewall by checking and unchecking a box in the Windows Security app. If needed, users can make exceptions and they don’t even need to change the rules to do that. Windows Firewall allows apps to go through the firewall only if they comply with the set rules. You can create inbound and outbound rules from scratch, create and change connection security rules, and import and export existing policies. Windows Firewall operates on a pre-written set of optimized rules to protect users from potential network-related threats at all times.īut, the app is flexible – if it’s not working the way you want it, you can tweak it to your preference.

This tool automatically detects and fixes firewall-related problems, including errors that stop your firewall from starting, prevent you from accessing shared files and printers and Remote Assistance, and when BFE service is missing.

Windows Firewall comes with a feature that’s called Windows Firewall Troubleshooter. If malware makes its way through, it will not only affect your computer but will spread to any other device on the network that’s attached to the LAN. This includes expected traffic, but also malicious data. When you disable the firewall, all data packets that enter and exit the network do so without any restrictions. You can turn the Windows Firewall off if it’s doing more harm than good (for example, when you already have a tool that’s protecting your networks) or when performing certain administrative tasks (which can’t be done with the firewall on) but, in most cases, it is recommended to keep your firewall enabled at all times. Why You Shouldn’t Disable Windows Firewall
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By default, the Windows Firewall has a separate set of rules for three different types of networks: There are several types of firewalls, which operate on predetermined rules. īack in 2011, Microsoft created Windows Firewall to protect computers from network-based threats, such as malicious software. Here’s why you need the firewall on your Windows OS, what happens when you turn it off, and why you should not disable Windows Firewall. A firewall is every bit as important as an antivirus program – and even a VPN tool– which is why it’s almost never a good idea to disable it.
