One of the security features included with Windows Vista (and Windows XP Service Pack 2) is the Windows Firewall. It is a built in firewall component that is designed to protect your computer when connected to an un-trusted network such as the Internet. Because of the importance a firewall plays in protecting your computer, it is enabled by default when you install Vista.

You can disable the Windows Firewall for a single network connection and leave it enabled for all others. Before you do so, make sure that you only use the connection when you are on a trusted network.

To disable the Windows Firewall on a network connection:

  1. Click Start and click Control Panel.
  2. Click Security and then select Windows Firewall.
  3. Click Change Settings.
  4. From the window that appears, click the Advanced tab.
  5. Remove the check beside the connection that you want to disable the Windows Firewall for.
  6. Click OK.

[tags]windows firewall, network connection, vista, internet security, enable connection[/tags]