What is the risk of WINDOWS8 systems allowing applications to pass through firewalls?

1. Add the application to the list of allowed applications (less risk).

2. Open a port (greater risk).

When you add an application to the list of allowed applications in the firewall (sometimes called unblock) or when you open the firewall port, a specific application is allowed to send or receive information between your computer through the firewall, as if you had drilled a hole in the fire wall. This lowers the security of your computer and may create opportunities for hackers or malware: use one of these ports to access your files or use your computer to spread malicious software to other computers.

In general, adding an application to the list of allowed applications is much more secure than opening a port. The port remains open until you turn it off, but the allowed application opens the hole only when needed.

To help mitigate 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 remove the application from the list of allowed applications or to close a port that is no longer needed.

2. Do not allow applications that you do not recognize to communicate through firewalls.

Remove an application from the list of allowed applications

1. Open Windows Firewall in the following ways: Swipe from the right edge of the screen, click "Search" (if you use the mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, then move the pointer down, click Search), enter the firewall in the search box, and then click or click "Settings" and " Windows Firewall.

2. In the left pane, click or click "Allow application or functionality through Windows firewall."

Do you think it is helpful to you?

3. Click or click "Change Settings". The system may require you to provide an administrator password or confirm your choice.

4. Clear the check box next to the application that you want to remove from the list of allowed applications, and then click or click OK.

Close Firewall port

1. Open Windows Firewall in the following ways: Swipe from the right edge of the screen, click "Search" (if you use the mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, then move the pointer down, click Search), enter the firewall in the search box, and then click or click "Settings" and " Windows Firewall.

2. In the left pane, click or click Advanced Settings. The system may require you to provide an administrator password or confirm your choice.

3. In the left pane of the Advanced Secure Windows Firewall dialog box, click or click Inbound Rules.

4. In the middle pane, select the rule you want to disable, and then in the right pane, click or click Disable Rule.