STS: Student Technology Services

Enabling the Windows XP Firewall

If you are using Windows Vista, please see the Windows Firewall - Vista page by clicking here.

Step 1: Click the "Start Button" (located in the lower-left of your screen), and select "Control Panel."

Step 2: The Control Panel will display either in Category View (a blue background with eight icons) or in Classic View (a white background with twenty to thirty icons).

If in Classic View continue to Step 3. If in Category View, please click "Switch to Classic View" on the top left of the window.

Step 3: Next double-click on the "Network Connections" icon.

Step 4: In the "Network Connections" window, please right click the Local Area Connection and select properties.

Step 5: Next, click the "Advanced" tab in the Local Area Connection

Step 6: In the "Advanced" options, click "Settings" to configure the Windows Firewall.

Step 7: In the Windows Firewall configuration, click "On (recommended)" to activate the firewall.

Step 8: After activating the firewall, click "OK."

Your firewall has now been enabled, and will help protect your computer from unauthorized access.