Setting Up a Firewall: McAfee Internet Security 6.0 for Windows - Basic
Last updated
September 1, 2009 9:47:55 AM PDT
Learn how to set up McAfee Personal Firewall Plus to protect your computer against malicious activity.
The McAfee Internet Security 2004 package includes McAfee Personal Firewall Plus. The firewall rejects incoming packets on all ports including ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol, which lets ping commands test Internet connections). Enable ICMP requests before using UCSD network services.
Start, stop, or modify the firewall any time, or continue to advanced settings to create exceptions for additional services.
Note: Before starting, disable all firewalls on your machine, including the one included with Windows XP Service Pack 2. Don't use Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) or a similar program to install firewall software. Directly connect to your Windows machine, 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 won't be able to access your machine.
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- After installing the McAfee package, follow the prompts to select settings for the components of the Security Suite.
- When the "SpamKiller" confirmation window opens, enter e-mail information as directed or cancel the e-mail accounts detection feature. You can change your settings at any time.
- In the "Configuration Assistant" window, ensure Security Protection by limiting access to programs, files and folders next to the globe icon is checked.
- Click Next to advance each screen.
- Choose a Privacy Service Password at the prompt.
- Finish configuring Security Suite, and restart your computer.
- Open the "McAfee SecurityCenter" application by double-clicking the M icon in your taskbar.
- Click the Personal Firewall+ tab to check the firewall status. The "traffic light" icon has a green light if the firewall is active and a yellow light when disabled.
- Use the Click here link next to the icon to turn the firewall on and off.
- Click the View the Firewall Summary icon (flames in red circle).
- Click the Settings icon (checked notebook at top right) to open the "Security Settings" window. You can also open the window from the Utilities tab.
- Under the "Additional Security Settings" heading, select the Accept ICMP ping requests check box. You must enable this setting before using UCSD's network.
- Click OK to close the window and save your changes.
- Close the Summary window.
- Each time new applications attempt to access the Internet, the firewall notifies you with an "Alert" window. Click the Grant Access or Block All Access icon for new alerts.
- Don't assume all requests are benign. Viruses and worms ask you to allow connections. Make sure you know the application and whether or not you want to run it on your system before allowing connections. Firewalls can't protect you if configured to accept every request.
- Read about more advanced firewall settings. If you don't wish to make further changes, quit the program.
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