Guarding against intrusion attempts 75

Customize firewall rules

2To be notified whenever unknown programs access the Internet, check Enable Access Control Alerts.

2To be notified whenever a remote computer attempts to connect to a port no program is using, check Alert when unused ports are accessed.

5Click OK.

Reset security settings to defaults

Setting a custom security level disables the Security Level slider. The slider indicates the security level on which your custom level is based, but you cannot use the slider to make changes to your settings. To use the slider to choose a preset security level, you must reset the security level.

To reset security settings to defaults

1Open Norton Personal Firewall.

2In the Security Center, double-click Personal Firewall.

3Click Default Level.

This resets your security level to medium. Use the Security Level slider to choose one of the other preset security levels.

Customize firewall rules

Firewall rules control how Norton Personal Firewall protects your computer from malicious incoming traffic, programs, and Trojan horses. The firewall automatically checks all data coming in or out of your computer against these rules.

How firewall rules are processed

When a computer attempts to connect to your computer, or when your computer attempts to connect to a computer on the Internet, Norton Personal Firewall compares the type of connection with its list of firewall rules.

Firewall rules are processed in a set order based on their types. System rules are processed first, followed by program rules, and then Trojan horse rules.

Once a rule that blocks or permits communications is matched, all remaining rules are ignored. In other words, additional rules that match