A firewall can be a life saving barrier between you and hackers. Likewise, a firewall can be a hair-pulling obstruction preventing programs from reaching the internet correctly. Being comfortable with turning the firewall on and off is a basic skill that everyone should master.
Each version of the windows OS firewall gets a little stronger and a little easier to use. There is little reason not to use the firewall for most people; however, if you are trying to debug a program’s connection issues, disabling the firewall should be an initial first step.
Here is how to turn the vista firewall on and off:
1. Click Start Orb
2. Select Control Panel
3. Click Security
4. Select the Firewall option
5. Select either on or off
6. Click OK to finish
