The Windows Firewall makes it challenging for users to configure the rules, especially for non-tech users. The firewall on Windows XP wasn't great received because of its limited capabilities, so, on Windows Vista, it was upgraded to Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.Įven though the revised version of the firewall includes more features for users' security, it is still not among the preferred firewalls alternatives because of a couple of reasons.

Starting with Windows XP, all Windows's versions have a built-in firewall software. Why use a firewallīecause Microsoft was having security problems on Windows that were easy exploitable by hackers, they started building their own firewall software to block malicious attacks. Of course, the more customizable a firewall is, the better the security it can provide.

This way, the firewall will offer your computer protection against malicious attacks so you can safely browse the internet.

When it detects a network packet that does not comply with the security rules that have been established, the packet will be rejected. The firewall will then monitor all the network packets entering or leaving your computer and will keep an eye out for suspicious sources. When you install a firewall on your computer, you set up some rules for it to follow so it knows which sources are trustworthy and which aren't. Each network packet contains a set of data, such as information about the source and destination, and they are assigned to specific ports based on this information. These packets are received by the entry points which are called ports. The information that's exchanged between your computer and the external network is transmitted in the form of network packets. A firewall acts as a shield between your computer and the external network (i.e.

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