What are the risks of Windows 8 systems allowing applications to pass through firewalls?

1. Add the app to the list of allowed apps (less risky).

2. Open a port (high risk).

When adding an app to a list of allowed apps in the firewall (sometimes called unblocking) or opening a firewall port, it allows specific apps to send or receive information between your firewall and your computer, just like you Drilled a hole in the firewall. This can reduce the security of your computer and can create opportunities for hackers or malware: use one of these ports to access your files or use your computer to spread malware to other computers.

Often, adding an app to the list of allowed apps is much safer than opening a port. The port remains open until you close it, but the allowed apps only open “holes when needed.

To help reduce security risks, do the following:

1. Allow an application or open a port only if you really need it, and follow the steps below to get the allowed application. Remove apps from the list or close ports that are no longer needed.

2. Never allow applications that you don't recognize to communicate through a firewall.

Deleting an application from the list of allowed apps

1. Open “Windows Firewall by: swiping from the right edge of the screen to the middle, click “search”( If using the mouse, point to the top right corner of the screen, then move the pointer down, click “search”), enter the firewall in the search box, and then click or click “Set” and “Windows Firewall”.

2. In the left pane, click or click “Allow apps or features through the Windows Firewall”.

Do you find it helpful?

3. Click or click “Change Settings”. You may be asked to provide an administrator password or confirm your choice.

4.Clear the checkbox next to the app you want to remove from the list of allowed apps, then tap or click “OK”.

Turn off the firewall port

1. Open “Windows Firewall by: swipe from the right edge of the screen to the middle and click "Search” (if using the mouse) Point to the top right corner of the screen, then move the pointer down, click “search”), enter the firewall in the search box, and then click or click “Set> and “Windows Firewall”.

2. In the left pane, click or click “Advanced Settings”. You may be asked to provide an administrator password or confirm your choice.

3. In the left pane of the "Advanced Security Windows Firewall" dialog box, click or click “Inbound Rules”.

4. In the middle pane, select the rule you want to disable, then in the right pane, tap or click “Disable rule”.