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Do I Have an Active Firewall?

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It is very important that you always have an active firewall on your Windows computer. Windows XP with Service Pack 2 has a built-in firewall. Antivirus "security suite" software often includes a firewall. The Symantec AntiVirus software distributed by NC State does not include a firewall. Free firewall software such as ZoneAlarm is available on the Internet. To avoid conflicts, be sure that you have only one firewall active on your computer.

Here's how to find out whether you have a firewall enabled on your Windows computer:

  1. Click on the Start button (usually in the lower left corner of your screen).

  2. Select Control Panel.

  3. In the Control Panel window, double click on the Security Center icon.

    windows security center icon in Control Panel window

  4. In the Windows Security Center window, locate the "Firewall" bar (near the top of the window). If you see the word "ON" in this bar, you have an active firewall. If you do not have a firewall installed, or it's turned off, you will see a notification and suggestions for ways to fix it.

    firewall notification

 

Content updated January 23, 2007 by helee2
Page last modified January 23, 2007 by cawalker