We have reached a point where we have no other option but to connect our computers to various networks for the sake of our profession as well as in regard of our personal use. Moreover, computers, nowadays, are mapped onto each other to such an extent that makes the firewall an utmost necessary entity in every operating system. Any individual wants some amount of privacy on his computer but this privacy of his becomes questionable when he is connected to some network. A user, in all probable cases, wouldn’t want another user to monitor his system activities or burg into his system’s internal proceedings, if he isn’t sharing them. Here, the firewall plays a very vital role.
[Tip: Block Access To A Website Without Any Software.]
Getting the firewall to work to its fullest capability is a task completely different from just mandatorily having a firewall installed on your system. Configuring the firewall according to your requirements, or setting up the firewall’s day to day activities is the process to obtain the best service that your firewall is capable of providing you with. The process includes disabling some applications, enabling some others, forwarding ports so that your system can access a website etc.
Windows mainly carries on with its journey by using the Windows Firewall – a well tuned and up to date application that stands up readily to activities that need its assistance. However, for the beginner, the Windows Firewall interface is quite not habitual. To overcome this problem Windows 7 Firewall control comes with a serious attempt to modify the Windows Firewall and making it much more easier in the field of managing and configuring it.
Inspite of its name, the application of this freeware extends to Windows Vista in the same way as it does to Windows 7. This is a lightweight software (2 MB) with an available portable version, that doesn’t contains its own drivers for filtering network traffic. The Windows 7 Firewall Control uses the Windows Filtering Platform or the Windows Firewall as the base to execute its day to day activities.
Though Windows 7 Firewall Control uses the same old Windows Firewall as its executing platform, with no additional coding technology that increases its capabilities, it provides the user with a number of managerial liberties to change the firewall configuration settings , making it a better user friendly platform to work upon.
What comes in addition to what already told is that no third party software is required for your firewall in order to monitor and filter traffic and look upon software that can connect to the net. Well, as far as protecting your system from hackers is concerned, a firewall alone doesn’t suffice to make your system invincible. In such a case, its better to have a third party firewall software installed.
Windows 7 Firewall Control
Now let us turn our attention to the salient features and functions of Windows 7 Firewall Control. The very first time you choose to run the application you face two dialogue boxes notifying you with an option to allow a certain network connection or not. You should act accordingly paying heed to what has exactly popped up,its utility etc. and thereby choosing what to do with the connection for now or forever.
Facing new network connections along your path, you need to choose which to allow and which to deny. You can also view the networks allowed or denied by you in the user interface of Windows 7 Firewall Control that can be accessed by clicking the icon in the system tray. Tapping the “Programs” tab opens a list of programs which have the rules configured for. Any unlisted application trying to connect to your system results in you receiving a notification opting you to allow or to deny the connection.
Under the “Programs” tab in the last column you can see the specific zone corresponding to each listed program. Moreover clicking the “Zones” tab opens a list of pre-configured zones. You are also allowed to create a new one. In a zone you can basically a create a set of rules that confines all programs that are listed in a specific zone. For example Chrome,Firefox,Internet Explorer can be assigned under one zone “WebBrowserZone“, such that they follow a common set of rules that is applied to all browsers listed in that particular zone.
Network activity statistics for each of the programs listed under the “Program“ tab are displayed through this software. Setting up rules every time a pop-up informs that a network is trying to access your system may be a bit tiring and irritating. A better way is to create a “default” zone and configure it the way you wish. Disable the pop-up feature of Firewall Control and set to include all networks detected in the future in this default zone.
On the whole, Windows 7 Firewall Control is a software that utilizes the Windows Firewall to its full extent. Personal configurations and settings enable the firewall to easily function just the way a user wishes to.
Leave a Comment