Accessing and using Windows Firewall with Sophos software

Windows Firewall is installed by default by Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Windows Vista.

As part of setting up and running Sophos software, it may be necessary to change the Windows Firewall settings. These can be either made individually on the affected computers, or they can be deployed as part of group policy.

The Windows Firewall dialog box provides the following option tabs:

• 'General': from here you can turn the Windows Firewall on or off, and allow or disallow exceptions.
• 'Exceptions': to select which programs and services can communicate through the firewall. From here you can select or add programs, enable and disable ports, and configure what access is available through the firewall.
• 'Advanced': for further configuration options, including network connections and logging

The steps to access the Windows Firewall vary slightly according to which operating system you are running:

Windows XP and Windows Vista

The Windows XP desktop and the Windows Vista desktop, provide you with two styles/views. The default is called 'Category' view. The 'Classic' view resembles the style of desktop used in earlier versions of Windows.

If you are using the default 'Category' view:

• Select Start|Control Panel|Security Center|Windows Firewall

If you are using 'Classic' View:

• Select Start|Control PanelWindows Firewall

Windows 2003

• Select Start|Settings|Control Panel|Windows Firewall.

Further information:

• Sophos Anti-Virus for Windows: access to computers with firewalls
• Sophos Products and Windows XP Service Pack 2