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Ensure the Windows Firewall service is started and configured for the auto-start

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Why Consider this

Windows Firewall helps protect your computer by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network. If the firewall is turned off, traffic on all ports will be able to access the system and an attacker may be more able to exploit a weakness in a network service.

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Context & Best Practices

Care must be taken to ensure the appropriate Windows Firewall global settings and the inbound and outbound rules are correct for the firewall to allow required traffic and block what is not required.

When roles, role services, and features such as ADDS are added, Windows Server will, by default, create the necessary inbound and outbound rules on the Firewall.

Suggested Actions

To switch on Windows Firewall, carry out the following steps.

  1. Log onto the computer as an administrator.
  2. Open Windows Firewall by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Control Panel.
  3. In the search box, type firewall, and then click Windows Firewall.
  4. In the left pane, click Turn Windows Firewall on or off.
  5. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
  6. Check the option for Turn on Windows Firewall and click OK.

To check that Windows Firewall is set to auto-start, carry out these steps:

  1. In Control Panel, in the search box, type Services.
  2. Click Administrative Tools, then double-click Services.
  3. In the Services management console, scroll down and double-click Windows Firewall.
  4. In the Windows Firewall Properties dialog box, ensure that Startup type is set to Automatic and click OK.
  5. If it is not, select Automatic, then click Stop.
  6. Click Start, then click OK to close the Windows Firewall Properties dialog box.

You can also configure domain policies for startup of the Windows Firewall service and apply different firewall polices. See the Learn More section for more information.

Learn More

For more information, see the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security Deployment Guide, at https://technet.microsoft.com/library/jj717241.aspx.