Windows 8 In Depth

Windows Firewall

One of Windows 8’s most important security features is the built-in Windows Firewall software.

Windows Firewall is enabled on every hard-wired, wireless, or dial-up network connection. On those connections that lead directly to the Internet, it blocks virtually all attempts by outside computers to reach your computer, so it prevents computers on the Internet from accessing your shared files, Remote Desktop, Remote Administration, and other “sensitive” functions.

On an Internet-facing connection, Window Firewall by default blocks all attempts by other computers to reach your computer, except in response to communications that you initiate yourself. For example, if you try to view a web page, your computer starts the process by ...