How This Tip Works
Windows XP contains its own
firewall. A firewall is a security system
that acts as a protective boundary between a network and the outside
world. Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) is firewall software that is
used to set restrictions on what information is communicated from your
home or small office network to and from the Internet to your network.
If your network uses Internet Connection Sharing
(ICS) to provide Internet access to multiple computers, ICF should be
enabled on the shared Internet connection. However, ICS and ICF can be
enabled separately. You should enable ICF on the Internet connection
of any computer that is connected directly to the Internet. To check
to see if ICF is enabled or to enable the firewall, see Enable or
disable Internet Connection Firewall.
ICF also protects a single computer connected to the
Internet. If you have a single computer connected to the Internet with
a cable modem, a DSL modem, or a dial-up modem, ICF protects your
Internet connection. You should not enable ICF on VPN connections
because it will interfere with the operation of file sharing and other
VPN functions.
1: Enable the ICF
by right clicking on your Internet or Network connection and then
going to the ADVANCED option and ticking the ICF enable box.
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