Setting Up a Firewall: Windows XP Service Pack 2 - Basic
Last updated
August 14, 2009 10:21:53 AM PDT
Learn how to set up Windows XP Service Pack 2 firewall to protect your computer against malicious activity.
The Windows XP Service Pack 2 firewall prevents access to network ports from remote connections. Since the firewall rejects incoming packets on all ports including ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol, which lets ping commands test Internet connections) enable Incoming Echo Request before using UCSD network services.
Note: Before starting, disable all firewalls on your machine. Don't use Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) or a similar program to install firewall software. Connect to your Windows machine directly, install the firewall, configure it to allow connections to and from RDC, and then reconnect RDC. Otherwise, the firewall blocks the remote connection and you can't access your machine.
After initial configuration, you can continue to the advanced settings page to create exceptions for additional services.
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- Right-click on the My Network Places icon located on the desktop. If the icon isn't on your desktop, open the "Start" menu, click on My computer, and right-click on My Network Places.
- Select Properties.
- In the "Network Connections" window, find the network device icon with the word "Enabled" in its description.
- Right-click on it and choose Properties.
- In the "Connection Properties" window, select the "Advanced" tab.
- Click the Settings button.
- On the "General" tab of the "Windows Firewall" window, click the On (recommended) radio button to activate the firewall.
- Click the Exceptions tab. By default, the SP2 firewall blocks incoming network connections. You can change settings and add exceptions to let certain programs or services to work. Continue to step 6 if you don't want to create an exception.
- Click the Advanced tab.
- See a list of common applications and the ports they use.
- Under the "ICMP" heading, click the Settings button.
- Select the Allow incoming echo request check box. This lets ACT/ Network Security verify that your computer connects securely to UCSD's network.
- If you don't want to add more advanced exceptions, click OK to close each window. You will lose your changes if you close the windows without clicking OK.
- You can also choose to add more advanced settings.
- After you save your changes, check the network device icon in the "Network Connections" window. The word "Firewalled" listed after the word "Enabled" indicates an active firewall.
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