Setting Up a Firewall: ZoneAlarm Pro 5 for Windows - Basic
Last updated
August 14, 2009 11:31:28 AM PDT
Learn how to set up the ZoneAlarm Pro firewall to protect your computer from malicious activity.
Start, stop, or modify the firewall any time after configuration or continue to advanced setup to create exceptions for additional services.
Note: Before starting, install and register your copy of ZoneAlarm Pro from the CD-ROM, and then restart your computer. Disable all firewalls on your machine, including the Windows XP Service Pack 2 firewall. 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 can't access your machine.
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- After restart, the computer lets you know setup is complete and asks if you want to start ZoneAlarm. Click Yes.
- Click Next to advance to the next window.
- In the Data Gathering window, select the Yes, anonymously share my settings radio dial button.
- Click Next to advance to the next window.
- In the Program AlertAdvisor window, select the Automatic radio dial button.
- Click Next to advance to the next window.
- In the Review Privacy Settings window, leave the check boxes deselected.
- Click Finish to advance to the next window.
- Click Done, and reboot your computer.
- Start ZoneAlarm and read the tutorial or click Finish to skip it.
- Click exit to confirm your choice.
- Click Next to advance through steps of the configuration process.
- Leave the default settings in the "Public Network Detected" window.
- Give the network a descriptive name like "UCSD Ethernet," "Home," or leave the default setting.
- Click Next to advance to the next window.
- Click Finish to complete the configuration.
- Depending on the applications currently running on your computer, ZoneAlarm will display one or more Alert windows to prompt you to create rules for each application. Creating a rule means telling the firewall whether or not to allow incoming or outgoing connections.
- During initial setup, click Allow for new rules and select the Remember this setting check box.
- Once you finish initial configuration, don't assume all requested rules are benign. Viruses and worms needing open ports ask you to allow connections. Make sure you know the application and whether or not you want it on your system before allowing connections.
- Firewalls can't protect you if configured to accept every request. You must maintain your firewall to make it an effective security tool.
- In the main ZoneAlarm Pro window, select Program Control from the left column.
- Leave the Program Control slider at the Medium setting. If you wish, you can change the security level of the firewall later.
- Select Firewall from the left column of the window.
- In the Internet Zone Security section on the Main tab, click the Custom button.
- Select the Allow incoming ping (ICMP Echo) check box. Always enable this feature before using UCSD network services.
- Click OK.
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