Here, you can make a pretty substantive change: from the Outbound connections
list, select Block to give Windows Firewall control over data flowing
in both directions (rather than just inbound data). This option won??™t
necessarily be trouble-free until you take the time to customize the outbound
rules in the main window. But it can, for instance, let you contain a
virus outbreak on a PC without completely severing the network connection
you may need in order to make repairs.
Click the Customize button in the Logging section to have Windows Firewall
keep a log of data it blocks in a text file you choose. Although logging
enables you to see exactly what the firewall is doing behind the scenes, the
real value is in troubleshooting. For instance, if you know Windows Firewall
is interfering with a specific application, but you want to know exactly what
the application is trying to do before you grant it permission, check the log.
424 | Chapter 7: Networking and Internet
Alternatives to Windows Firewall
Windows Firewall that comes with Vista is much better than the XP version,
but it still may not provide the ease-of-use or flexibility of a third-party
program. Here are some alternative solutions:
??? Agnitum Outpost (http://www.agnitum.com)
??? Kerio Personal Firewall (http://www.kerio.com)
??? Vista Firewall Control (http://www.sphinx-soft.com)
Be careful, however, when installing and configuring a
third-party firewall solution, including the ones discussed
here.
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