How to Use Windows Defender Firewall for Security

Windows Defender Firewall is a built-in security feature in Microsoft Windows that helps protect your computer from unauthorized access and malicious threats. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of using Windows Defender Firewall to enhance the security of your system.

Prerequisites

• A computer running Microsoft Windows (Windows 7, 8, or 10)
• Administrative access to the computer

Steps

Step 1: Open Windows Defender Firewall

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Start menu.
2. Type "Windows Defender Firewall" and click on the Windows Defender Firewall application from the search results.

Step 2: Access Firewall Settings

1. In the Windows Defender Firewall window, click on the Advanced settings option located on the left-hand side panel.

Step 3: Configure Inbound Rules

Inbound rules control the incoming network traffic to your computer.

1. In the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security window, click on Inbound Rules located on the left-hand side panel.
2. On the right-hand side panel, click on New Rule.
3. Choose the rule type based on your requirements:
   • Program: Allows or blocks specific programs.
   • Port: Specifies which ports to open or close.
   • Predefined: Provides predefined rules for common scenarios.
   • Custom: Allows you to create a customized rule.

Step 4: Create a New Rule

For the purpose of this tutorial, let's create a new inbound rule to block a specific program.

1. Select the Program option and click Next.
2. Choose the This program path option and browse to the location of the program you want to block.
3. Select Block the connection and click Next.
4. Choose the profiles for which you want to apply this rule (Domain, Private, or Public networks).
5. Provide a name for the rule and optionally, a description.
6. Click Finish to create the rule.

Step 5: Configure Outbound Rules

Outbound rules control the outgoing network traffic from your computer.

1. In the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security window, click on Outbound Rules located on the left-hand side panel.
2. Repeat Step 4 to create a new rule for outbound traffic. Choose the appropriate rule type and configure the settings based on your requirements.

Step 6: Manage Existing Rules

1. To manage existing rules, navigate to Inbound Rules or Outbound Rules section as per your requirement.
2. Right-click on a rule to perform various actions such as disable, enable, delete, or modify its properties.

Step 7: Adjust Firewall Notifications

You can adjust the notifications for Windows Defender Firewall to stay informed about blocked connections or other security events.

1. In the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security window, click on Properties located on the right-hand side panel.
2. Under the Domain Profile tab, select one of the following options:
   • Block (default): Displays notifications when Windows Defender Firewall blocks a program.
   • Block all incoming connections: Prevents all incoming connections to your computer.
   • Allow: Displays notifications when Windows Defender Firewall allows or blocks a program.
   • Customize: Allows you to configure custom settings for notifications.
3. Repeat the same process for the Private Profile and Public Profile tabs if required.
4. Click OK to save the changes.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we have walked you through the process of using Windows Defender Firewall to enhance the security of your system. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can configure inbound and outbound rules, manage existing rules, and adjust firewall notifications effectively. Windows Defender Firewall can help protect your computer from unauthorized access and malicious threats, providing you with a more secure computing experience.