For most users of Windows Vista Beta 2, the only significant difference between the two firewalls (Vista and XP) will ......... hr, it is true, most users will see no difference, because the firewall in Windows Vista Beta 2 works the same as in Windows XP, blocking incoming traffic only by default. Firewall Control Panel in Windows Vista Beta 2 is almost identical to Windows XP panel, with the only difference, in the wording zaklyuchayuschimsya - option "Block all programs (" Block all Programs ") with" Do not allow exceptions "(" Don't allow Exceptions " ), the effect remained the same.

Control panel firewalls are very similar, because in Windows Vista Beta 2 control over outbound traffic is off by default, and it can not be included (or access) standard panel through the firewall. In Windows Vista Beta 2 implemented a new system with enhanced protection firewall configuration settings, that can be accessed in the administrative tools by dialing wf.msc (Start> Run), and press Enter.

The image shown above shows part of management consoles MMC (Microsoft Management Console) for the enhanced firewall configuration settings (Windows Firewall with Advanced Settings). On the left is the main bar area, which is subject to change settings; complete tree has been expanded to show the user of the available area. On the right side panel, provides a brief overview, which tells the user what the "Profile" for an active firewall (only ONE profile can be active at a time) and the settings for each of these profiles.

NOTE: The information in the image is shown, in which control of the outbound traffic has left the default, that is, regime "block", but this is not quite accurate, because the firewall settings further show that the actual Defaults completely opposite to what is shown. Administrators can also import and export firewall settings from the home page (not shown here), which are located in the right corner of the home page.

Click on the link properties Windows Firewall will display a dialog box, allowing users to adjust individual settings for each profile, as well as IPsec parameters:

Please note that the default settings for incoming and outgoing connections are listed for each profile as a tab (which would not waste time discussing only shown profile). Clearly shows that the default settings for incoming and outgoing connections differ from appearing on the main page parameters. In the "State" can be selected / check the status of settings, enable or disable the firewall; chosen values for incoming / outgoing connections are represented as follows: Block, and Block All Permit (Block, Allow, Block All). The "Set" (Customize), in the settings dialog box that allows the user to customize the notification in the event of a firewall blocking compounds, as well as to allow or not to respond with unilateral transfer mode, as a group, or other requests. The "Set" (Customize) under user registration allows users to assign names, save the log file in a specific location on the hard drive, where you can set a size of the log file, and adjust the file so that it recorded information about documents, sent to the cart and / or information on successful connections.

Tab IPsec allows administrators to customize certain parameters IPsec connections to the network environment (just not discussed in this article).

Control over incoming and outgoing trafikami have similar preferences, so this article will discuss the latest opportunities outgoing traffic control firewall.

The Centre's new firewall concentrated in the console Windows Firewall with Advanced Settings, this console can validate firewall performance, it can also be set, change or delete a rule, and administrators can set the amount of information that can be written and where it can be recorded. Certain areas of (dealing with incoming or outgoing traffic, or both) show in detail all the rules, allowing any rule change or create a new one. In addition, every rule has its own properties, where almost any value can be changed.

Note: Some Windows Vista system services have rules in which some settings predetermined and can not be changed, in which case the notification will show firewall user, as shown below:

These rules are presented properties BITS service - Background Intelligent Service Program (Background Intelligent Transfer Service). Note 6 bookmarks, the ability to examine in detail settings, and change their rules. The Office of the new rules is not possible here, this can be done on the main page of the console on the right side of the Firewall pane:

Note: If no rule is not set (incoming or outgoing), it will end point Help menu and options for the rules will be unavailable.

The new firewall Windows Vista Beta 2 is a huge leap forward compared to the Windows XP firewall, particularly in the area of customization options security; starting with the IP address, services, programs, and access by users, all this can be allowed or blocked. "

Design new Windows Vista firewall is similar to Windows XP firewall, and most users will not notice the large differences between them.

New control panel firewall Windows Vista users will be familiar Windows XP, the firewall as both are almost identical in terms of user interface and appointments.

Users will not be able to arbitrarily "disable" an important protection system through your firewall settings, because they simply will not be available to users, which will ensure better protection for the operating system and the work of users.

If ever in the service of Windows Vista firewall fails, it will lead to the blocking of all connections ( "Block All Connections"), this should be better overall security of the OS.

Cons:

Advanced Firewall and security settings in mastering complex to the average user, as well as provide for IT administrators who know that they want to do, and know the needs of security, the firewall Windows Vista gives them the rich possibilities.

There is no installation wizard or prompter, which prompted users to block as a program / service, and while there is no shortcut to console Windows Vista Firewall with Advanced Settings.

Console Windows Vista Firewall with Advanced Settings lacks an intuitive interface, which would be useful for new users who have not yet familiar with the firewall technology. Users and administrators should know exactly what they are doing and possess knowledge of technical terms to get the desired results.

By default, outbound connections are filtered, but may be blocked by Console settings Windows Vista Firewall with Advanced Settings, it may be too difficult for understanding and achieving new users.

Conclusion

The new firewall Windows Vista - the long-awaited update on the security system since Windows XP. There is some feeling that Microsoft had overestimated the importance of the control of outbound traffic to Windows Vista as the OS itself is safe and will prevent the installation of malicious software, or services to the same state of the OS completely controlled during the work on the Internet. In time it will become clear whether the company receives. The fact that Microsoft has included in Windows Vista firewall with all relevant settings, very convincingly shows that the safety and security of OS user on the network is the main concern for developers of Redmond.