Optimizing Firewall Security - McAfee INTERNET SECURITY SUITE 2008 User Manual

78 McAfee Internet Security

Optimizing Firewall security

There are many ways the security of your computer can be
compromised. For example, some programs can attempt to
connect to the Internet before Windows® starts. In addition,
sophisticated computer users can trace (or ping) your computer
to determine whether it is connected to a network. Firewall
allows you to defend against both types of intrusion by allowing
you to enable startup protection and to block ping requests. The
first setting blocks programs from accessing the Internet as
Windows starts up and the second blocks ping requests that help
other users detect your computer on a network.
Standard installation settings include automatic detection for the
most common intrusion attempts, such as Denial of Service
attacks or exploits. Using the standard installation settings
ensures that you are protected against these attacks and scans;
however, you can disable automatic detection for one or more
attacks or scans on the Intrusion Detection pane.
Protect your computer during startup
You can protect your computer as Windows starts up to block
new programs that did not have, and now need, Internet access
during startup. Firewall displays relevant alerts for programs that
had requested Internet access, which you can allow or block. To
use this option, your security level must not be set to Open or
Lockdown.
1
On the McAfee SecurityCenter pane, click
Network, then click Configure.
2
On the Internet & Network Configuration pane, under
Firewall protection is
3
On the Security Level pane, under
Enable startup protection.
4
Click OK.
Note: Blocked connections and intrusions are not logged while
startup protection is enabled.
Internet &
enabled, click Advanced.
Security Settings, select