Windows 7: System Firewall Outbound Rules

This section provides a tutorial example on how to review and modify Windows Firewall outbound rules that override the outbound-connection-allowed setting on Windows 7 system.

With Windows Firewall configured with following default settings, you should also review individual override rules on outbound connections.

Firewall state:         On (recommended)
Inbound connections:    Block (default)
Outbound connections:   Allow (default)

1. Go to "Control Panel\System and Security\Windows Firewall" and click the "Advanced Settings" link. You will see the firewall "Windows Firewall with Advanced Settings" screen.

2. Click "Outbound Rules" on the left of the screen. You will see a list of rules that override the "Outbound connections: Allow (default)" global setting.

3. Review all rules. You should skip those with "Action=Allow", because the global default is allow all outbound connections. You should only think about which programs that you want to block them making outbound connections.

For example, I have "Yahoo! Updater" running on my computer and it is making outbound connections to Yahoo server to check for updates regularly. I don't know how to remove it. Now I can add new outbound rule to block it.

The picture below shows you the Windows Firewall outbound rules that override the "Outbound connections: Allow (default)" global setting on Windows 7 system:

Windows 7 Windows Firewall Outbound Rules
Windows 7 Windows Firewall Outbound Rules

Table of Contents

 About This Windows Security Book

 Windows 8: System Security Review

 Windows 8: System Security Protection

 Windows 8 System Recovery

 Windows 8 Defender for Real-Time Protection

 Windows 7: System Security Review

Windows 7: System Security Protection

 Windows 7: System Update Status

 Windows 7: System Update Settings

 Windows 7: System Firewall Settings

 Windows 7: System Firewall Advanced Settings

 Windows 7: System Firewall Inbound Rules

Windows 7: System Firewall Outbound Rules

 Windows 7: Manage System Firewall Rules

 Windows 7: Firewall Alert on Blocked Connection

 Windows 7: Firewall Allowed Programs

 Windows 7: Action Center Security Messages

 Windows 7: Action Center Security Message Settings

 Windows 7 System Recovery

 Windows 7 Forefront Client Security

 Norton Power Eraser - Anti-Virus Scan Tool

 McAfee Virus and Malware Protection Tools

 Spybot - Spyware Blocker, Detection and Removal

 Keeping Firefox Secure

 Keeping IE (Internet Explorer) Secure

 Malware (Adware, Spyware, Trojan, Worm, and Virus)

 HijackThis - Browser Hijacker Diagnosis Tool

 IE Add-on Program Listing and Removal

 "Conduit Search" - Malware Detection and Removal

 "Tube Dimmer", "Scorpion Saver" or "Adpeak" Malware

 Malware Manual Removal Experience

 Vundo (VirtuMonde/VirtuMundo) - vtsts.dll Removal

 Trojan and Malware "Puper" Description and Removal

 VSToolbar (VSAdd-in.dll) - Description and Removal

 PWS (Password Stealer) Trojan Infection Removal

 MS08-001 Vulnerability on Windows Systems

 Antivirus System PRO

 References

 Full Version in PDF/ePUB