The pros and cons of Windows Firewall

Is Windows Firewall up to the task of securing your network? We delve into the details of this host-based stateful firewall and weigh its pros and cons.

Windows Firewall debuted with the release of Windows XP, and Windows XP Service Pack 2 enabled this feature by default. This host-based stateful firewall replaced Windows' Internet Connection Firewall.

This feature's default configuration rejects incoming IP traffic unless you've specifically allowed it. To configure or adjust the Windows Firewall settings, go to Start | Control Panel, and double-click the Windows Firewall applet. Let's take a closer look at the various settings.