A Firewall For Windows 2000 Pro?

Having a firewall installed is no longer a ‘would be nice’ sort of deal. These days, it is a must. But I think that most of us are bored to death with most software-based firewall solutions. Oh sure, we can always go to some of the free options out there, but that is just not giving you as much control as you might want.

Folks, if you are a Windows 2000 Pro user, then I have a little treat for you. Now before we get too deep into this, allow me to be clear on something. I make no claims to this firewall being more or less secure than other more ‘conventional’ options out there. If you want two good software options that won’t break the bank, then I suggest either Zone Alarm or Sygate.

(If you have no idea what I am talking about, then this is probably a good thing as this article is going to be geared more toward the propeller-head crowd.)

OK, let’s get started. First you need to begin with a blank MMC console. From this point, you will want to follow these steps as shown below.

1. Console
2. Add/Remove Snap-in
3. Select “IP Security Policy Management”
4. Add
5. Finish
6. Close
7. OK

Now in its current state, IPSec is not going to block diddly. So, it is at this point that you will need to do the following in order to get this party started.

1. In the left hand pane, look for and click the plus symbol next to IP Security Policies.
2. Now you need to right-click on IP Security Policies (left pane again).
3. From here, go ahead and click Manage IP Filter Lists and Filter Actions.
4. OK, at this point, go ahead and click on Manage Filter Actions.
5. Now click Add.
6. And then click Next.
7. OK, now here comes a little bit of that IPSec magic. You will need to set the Name Field to Block. Also, don’t forget to set the ‘description’ to Block Access.
8. And then we click Next.
9. Stop, head to the kitchen to get a cup of go-go juice.
10. Look for the ‘radio button’ next to Block in the Filter Action box.
11. All righty! Click Next and then finally Finish! Yeah, you’re done! Yippie!

Sure, from here you can get pretty deep into ports and other goodies like that. But this is a good starting point for those of you looking to get your feet wet with your very own Windows 2000 firewall.