Enabling the Windows XP Professional Firewall - University of Denver

Enabling the Windows XP Professional Firewall
A firewall is a piece of software or hardware that creates a protective barrier between your
computer and potentially harmful content on the Internet. It helps guard your computer
against hackers and many computer viruses and worms. Because of the increased number
of viruses and operating system vulnerabilities, the University of Denver requires that all
mobile users enable the Windows XP Professional “Internet Connection Firewall” on their
laptop computers.
Important: The Windows XP Professional “Internet Connection Firewall” blocks certain
types of potentially harmful network communication. However, it also blocks some useful
network communication tasks (i.e the sharing of files or printers through a network,
transferring files in applications such as instant messaging, or hosting multiplayer games).
For more information about Internet firewalls, please visit
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/firewall.mspx.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN:
Verify the following:
• Your laptop is loaded with Windows XP Professional:
• No other programs are running.
• Verify that you are not connected to the Internet.
OVERVIEW OF STEPS
Step 1: Enable Firewall on Wired Connection.
Step 2: Enable Firewall on Wireless Connection.
Step 1 - Turn on Windows Wired (LAN) “Internet Connection Firewall”
Click on Start, and then click Control Panel.
The “Control Panel” window appears:
Locate and double click on
the category “Network and
Internet Connections”.
Note: If the “Network and
Internet Connections”
category is not visible, click
on the option “Switch to
Category View” on the
upper left of the window.
Installing and Configuring the Windows Firewall Page 1 8/2/2004

The “Network Connections” window appears:
The “Network Connections” window appears:
Click on the option
“Network Connections”.
Under the “LAN or High
Speed Internet” heading,
double click on the icon
“Local Area Connection”
or the name of your wired
network connection.
Installing and Configuring the Windows Firewall Page 2 8/2/2004

The “Local Area Connection” status window appears:
The “Local Area Connection Properties” window appears:
Click on the button
“Properties”.
Click on the tab
“Advanced”.
Installing and Configuring the Windows Firewall Page 3 8/2/2004

The “Advanced” tab appears:
The “Local Area Connection” status window appears:
Click on the checkbox next
to the option “Protect my
computer and network by
limiting or preventing
access to this computer
from the Internet”.
Click on the button “OK”.
Click on the button “Close”.
Installing and Configuring the Windows Firewall Page 4 8/2/2004

The “Network Connections” window appears:
Step 2 - Turn on Wireless “Internet Connection Firewall”.
If you have a wireless
network card:
You should enable the
firewall. Go to Step 2.
If you do not have a
wireless network card:
Close all windows by clicking
on the X in the upper right
corner.
At this point, you may
reconnect your Internet
connection.
From the “Network
Connections” window,
locate and double click on
the “Wireless Network”
icon.
Installing and Configuring the Windows Firewall Page 5 8/2/2004

The “Wireless Network Connection Status” window
appears:
The “Wireless Network Connection Properties” window
appears:
Click on the button
“Properties”.
Click on the tab
“Advanced”.
Installing and Configuring the Windows Firewall Page 6 8/2/2004

The “Advanced” tab appears:
Click on the checkbox next
to the option “Protect my
computer and network
by limiting or
preventing access to
this computer from the
Internet”.
Click on the button “OK”.
Close all windows by
clicking on the X in the
upper right corner.
At this point, you may
reconnect your Internet
connection.
You are finished enabling the Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall.
Installing and Configuring the Windows Firewall Page 7 8/2/2004