Two Way Firewalls in Vista

Subject: Two Way Firewalls in Vista Tue Jul 14, 2009 2:33 am

Why is a firewall important?

Firewalls provide high-quality security towards the network traffic of
internet, network, and user data that is unsafe for your PC. Firewalls
introduced a sense of security for users compared to previous versions
of Windows operating systems. The lack of protection caused many users
to use third party firewalls for protection. Microsoft's response to
this was released in Windows XP for a custom built-in firewall for
their operating system (OS). Many people rejoiced because of this
innovative protection towards spyware, adware, and other unwanted data
that could harm your investment.

Microsoft's new release of Windows Vista introduces a new, full-fledge
security pack that harnesses the power to protect PCs from unwanted
data. The alliance with Longhorm servers helped produce a two wall
firewall in Windows XP Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 2.

Control More Network Traffic
Administrators can control the flow of network traffic and
applications while you use the internet. This protects users from
potential network attacks of viruses or spyware through the system. The
final version of Windows Vista is expected to have these additions, but
it's currently in its testing phases for complete efficiency. This
top-of-the-line security feature is expected to help manage the total
traffic without stalling its performance.

The "Two-Way" firewall earned its reputation because it will block
and filter in-coming and out-going network data. Administrators can
control outgoing data as well to prevent the illegal access completed
by most hackers online. Now, you can rest safely due to the firewall's
ability to keep information in the network on a uniform style - if a
certain VoIP system is installed, you can only use this VoIP service to
keep unwanted sources out of the network.

Two-Way Firewall Features:

Windows Vista and Windows Server Longhorn have integrated the following
features into their firewall for optimal protection. Some of the
features include the following:

- Integrated internet protocol security settings and Firewall filtering.

- Microsoft Management Console Snap In for User Interface

- Filters both incoming and outcoming network traffic

- Custom configurations for IP Addresses, TCP (Transmission Control
Protocol), Active Directory, directory service account and groups,
Internet Control Message Protocol, IPV6 services, and UDP (User
Datagram Protocol).

Firewall Configurations:

Windows Vista's Firewall's configurations are dependent on the network
administrators' needs. If the network administrator creates a
configurationt o block all traffic through specific ports, you can save
hundreds or thousands of dollars in damage. The Firewall's default
settings are to block all well-known ports used by viruses, spyware,
and adware from specific IP addresses that contain vital data. Other
default settings of the Firewall include:

-Block all incoming data, except specific exceptions that match an incoming criteria,
-Allow all outgoing data unless it matches an unauthorized criteria established by the network administrator.

If you're interested in configuring the Windows Vista firewall by
using Firewall Item in the control panel. In order to reach advanced
configurations, you have to use a Snap-in item called "Windows Firewall
with Advanced Security". You have to add the Span-in in order to access
through the MMC Console. Currently, there is no designated console
available. These developments are said to be available before the
release.

Another easy route to configure the firewall is with the command
line. Enter the command nesh advfirewall context to access the
configurations panel. The command line is not available in Windoes XP
with SP1 and SP2 or Windows 2003 Server.

You cannot configure the new firewall for Group Policy because
Windows XP with SP1 and SP2 and Windows 2003 Server will ignore the
settings then use its old version of the firewall. Now, the Beta
Version of Windows Vista does not have a defined rule for blocking or
allowing network traffic in the Control Panel.

In configuring the Group Policy, go to Computer > Configuration >
Windows Settings > Security Settings > Windows Firewall with
Advanced Security in the Group Policy Editor Snap-in. The current
Windows Firewall at ComputerConfigurationAdministrative
TemplatesNetworkConnectionsWindowsFirewall.

New IPSec and Firewall based security features:

Security of one's IP address has reined in thousands of discussion
boards online. Users have realized that IP addresses are used to
identify personal computer systems with specific models, makes, and
owners. Now, the need for IP Security and Firewalls has been tackled
with Windows Vista Two-Way firewall. IPSec is a set of Internet
standards that provides a higher level of protection from IP traffic;
this is essential in file sharing software that require tapping into
other IP's for important information.