Types Of Software Firewalls
It is important to know about the types of software firewalls that Windows provides in order to know how your computer is protected. Software firewalls are a very important part of the Windows operating system. Each version of the operating system brings in some minor changes, which you need to know about while buying an operating system, so that you can be assured that your system is well protected from worms, viruses and other external threats. TypesOf.com’ presents you with various types of software firewalls to help your decision.
* Initially, Windows firewall was brought out in the market as Internet Connection Firewall in 2001 with Windows XP. This was the first one among the types of software firewalls that Windows released. However, it had many drawbacks, which included concerns regarding backward compatibility and because the configuration screens were hidden behind network configuration screens, most users never even saw them. Thus, it was very scarcely used. But then, sometime in the middle of 2003, the Blaster worm managed to attack a huge number of machines with Windows XP as their operating systems. A few months later, the Sasser worm also attacked Windows machines. Both of them did massive damage. So, because of this and because of the criticism directed towards Windows, it developed the interface and functionality that was built-in in the firewall of Windows XP. It was then that the label of Windows Firewall came about, along with the launch of Windows XP SP2.
* Windows Firewall in Windows XP SP2 automatically activated one of the three profiles required for network interface. While connected to the internet, the profile known as ‘public’ was activated and it is the most restrictive profile. When the machine is isolated from the internet, the profile that allows more inbound connection is called ‘private’. All network connections that do not require internet have ‘private’ as their default setting, unless specified otherwise by the local administrator. The third profile is called ‘domain’ and is the least restrictive profile. This profile is automatically selected when the local machine is connected to a network where the domain is trusted. This is one of the first types of software firewalls that Windows came up with which protected the machine efficiently.
* Windows Vista has the software firewall that corresponds to the corporate use of this operating system. This operating system has an improved firewall which addresses the concerns regarding the flexibility of Windows firewall. This firewall provides may advanced options and facilitates remote administration. It also has an improved interface that allows the user to manage multiple firewall profiles. Moreover, it enables outbound package filtering, which addressed concerns of spyware and viruses, which attempt to ‘phone home’.
* Windows 7 and Windows 8 have the types of software firewalls that Vista has. However, in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, there are some improvements. These include multiple active firewall profiles, among others.
With a thorough knowledge of the types of software firewalls, you should be able to choose an operating system for your machine that protects your computer efficiently and accordingly and falls within your price range.
