Windows Firewall Help?

Question

I can't turn my Windows Firewall on. The boxes and squares in the general tab are faded so i can't check any off. There is a check on Off (not recommended) I want to turn it on.

Answer 1

Your computer may be already infected with a virus that prevents access to this options. I would recommned to scan your computer with a good antivirus program and delete the infected files. You can download free antivirus software from http://www.kiete.com/antivirus.html

I also recommend getting other firewall. I would go with ZoneAlarm. Free download of it:

http://kiete.com/zonefirewall.html

Answer 2

There can be a variety of reasons.

- You must be in the Administrator account to be able to adjust security settings.

- If you are a Vista user, you need to use the UAC features.

- If you already have an existing firewall with your security products it may have disabled the Windows settings

- Corrupted operating system files

- Malware



If you are the computer administrator, you can rule out malware and corrupted system files by following these steps:



First update and scan your computer with your security products such as antivirus and antispyware applications. If your computer comes up clean after running your resident security products, you may want to consider running a System File Checker (SFC). This can be run in Safe Mode should you prefer. To get into Safe Mode either hold down or tap the F8 key repeatedly while the computer is starting up. To run SFC, close all applications such as Office, Messenger, Email, etc, and go to:



- Start

- Run

- Type in sfc /scannow (include the space before the " / ")



What SFC does is that it attempts to fix or replace critical operating system files. Sometimes this can be done without the installation disk, however it may prompt you for the appropriate operating system installation disk. If that is the case, then you know that you definitely have file corruption or something missing. Insert the disk if prompted. Also you should run SFC using the Administrator account.



If you have the Vista operating system, the steps are a bit different due to the UAC. See the link below.

http://vistasupport.mvps.org/system_file_checker.htm



Don't surf, play games or do anything while SFC runs. After it is completed, reboot your computer.



One of the major culprits in missing or corrupt operating system files is running a registry cleaner or optimizer. They can flag important shared files for deletion or cleanup. Another cause is malware.



NOTE: Before running any registry cleaner or editing the registry, always ensure you back it up first. If the registry cleaner you are using doesn't have that function, you can do it manually. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756

Answer 3

Click START ... Control Panel ... Network and Internet Connections ... Windows Firewall or Change Windows Firewall settings. Should work !



In Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows Firewall is turned on by default. (However, some computer manufacturers and network administrators might turn it off.) You do not have to use Windows Firewall—you can install and run any firewall that you choose. Evaluate the features of other firewalls and then decide which firewall best meets your needs. If you choose to install and run another firewall, turn off Windows Firewall.



You might be able to use this procedure in reverse to turn your Windows Firewall on.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

According to a Microsoft support article, with XP SP2 the computer must be disconnected from the Internet before turning off the firewall.



Disable Windows Firewall in Windows XP SP2:

Before you disable your firewall, you must disconnect your computer from all networks, including the Internet.

1. Click Start, click Run, type Firewall.cpl, and then click OK.

2. On the General tab, click Off (not recommended), and then click OK.

Answer 4

It can be cause you dont have proper permissions or a virus can cause this.



Check this link http://windowsxp.mvps.org/resetfwpol.htm

Answer 5

that sounds like a virus

Answer 6

i dont get tha question