A firewall is a security system that uses rules to block or allow connections and data transmission between your computer and the Internet. Firewall rules control how the Smart Firewall protects your computer from malicious programs and unauthorized access. Norton firewall automatically checks all traffic that comes in and out of your computer against these rules.
The Smart Firewall uses two kinds of firewall rules:
| Program rules | Control network access for programs on your computer. |
| Traffic rules | Control all the incoming and the outgoing network traffic. |
Program Rules
On the tab, you can do the following:
- Rename the program description.
- Modify the rules for a program.
- Add a rule for a program.
- Modify the access settings of a program rule.
- Modify the priority of rules for a program by changing the sequence of rules in the list.
- Remove a program rule.
- View the trust level of a program.
You can create Program rules in the following ways:
| Automatically customize Internet access settings | Lets the firewall automatically configure access for programs the first time that users run them. This method is the easiest way to create firewall rules. |
| Use Firewall settings | Manages the list of programs that can access the Internet. |
| Respond to alerts | Lets the firewall notify you when a program attempts to access the Internet. You can then allow or block Internet access for the program.
In some instances, such as when you watch a movie, you might prefer not to be alerted with any messages. In such cases, you can turn on Automatic Program Control. When Automatic Program Control is on, firewall alerts only when an application with unproven reputation tries to access the Internet. The firewall notifies you only if you have changed the General Settings options of Smart Firewall from their default, recommended settings. |
Traffic Rules
The tab displays a list of predefined traffic rules. Some of the default Traffic rules are read-only and are locked. You cannot modify these rules.
The rules appear in the order of their priority levels. Rules that appear higher in the list override the rules that appear lower in the list.
You can add a new Traffic rule on this tab. You can also do the following activities:
| Modify a Traffic rule | You can change the settings of a Traffic rule that does not function the way you want.
However, you cannot modify some of the default rules that are read-only. |
| Turn off a Traffic rule | You can disable a Traffic rule.
However, you cannot turn off some of the default rules that are read-only. |
| Change the priority of a Traffic rule | You can change the priority of a Traffic rule by changing the order in which it appears in the list.
Only advanced users or users at the direction of technical support, should perform this action. |
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Source : Official Norton Brand
Editor by : BEST Antivirus KBS Team