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Configuring the firewall on Windows

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Learn how to apply firewall rules on Windows.

To best protect your system, your Windows dedicated server or VPS has its own built-in firewall. By configuring it, you can increase security levels, which guarantees the availability and integrity of all elements hosted on the server, such as roles, services, and shared folders.

Warning

NOTE: OVHcloud is providing you with services for which you are responsible, with regard to their configuration and management. You are therefore responsible for ensuring they function correctly.

 

Requirements

  • A dedicated server or VPS with Windows installed in your OVHcloud account
  • Administrative access via remote desktop to your server

 

Instructions

Step 1: Access Windows Firewall

To access Windows Firewall, you can follow this order:

  • Click Start.
  • Click Search.
  • Search for "Windows Firewall" in the search bar.
  • Click Windows Firewall.

Then click Advanced settings.

Windows firewall configuration - Activate port firewall SoftWin - step 1

 

Step 2: Enable an inbound rule

In the window that appears, you will see settings such as:

  • Inbound and Outbound Rules
  • Connection Security Rules
  • Server Firewall Monitoring Options

Selecting Inbound Rules displays all preconfigured Windows Server rules associated with network connections and incoming packets. Some of these rules are not enabled by default. If you want to enable them, right-click the rule and select the Enable rule option.

Windows firewall configuration - Activate port firewall SoftWin - step 2

 

Step 3: Create a new rule

To create a new rule, go to the Action menu and select New Rule. Click the New Rule option in the right-hand pane.

Windows firewall configuration - Activate port firewall SoftWin - step 3

 

Step 4: Define the type of rule to activate

The Rule Wizard provides options to define the type of rule to create. Select the Port check box.

Windows firewall configuration - Activate port firewall SoftWin - step 4

 

Step 5: Define the port type to activate

In the next step, define the port type to enable:

Windows firewall configuration - Activate port firewall SoftWin - step 5

Info

  • TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) It is a connection-orientated protocol, i.e. with TCP, it will be possible to create connections between them to send data streams. This protocol ensures that data is delivered to the recipient in the same order and the same error-free manner.

  • UDP (User Datagram Protocol) This is a non-connection-orientated protocol. Its development is based on the exchange of datagrams and facilitates the sending of datagrams across the network. You will need to have established a connection to the destination beforehand.

You can also select the All local ports checkbox to enable all TCP or UDP ports on a non-secure server. You can also select the Specific local ports check box to determine which port should be allowed.

 

Step 6: Allow or block the connection

To define the action this rule will trigger, the following options are available. Select the one that works for you.

  • Allow the connection. This option allows full communication through this port.
  • Allow the connection if it is secure. This option allows data to be transmitted only if the connection is authenticated via IPsec.
  • Block the connection. This option prevents data from being routed through this port.

Select the Allow Connection option and click Next.

Windows firewall configuration - Activate port firewall SoftWin - step 6

 

Step 7: Define the firewall profile and name to apply

Finally, you must choose which profiles the rule should apply to: public, domain, or private. You can enable them all if you want.

Windows firewall configuration - Activate port firewall SoftWin - step 7

 

Give the new rule a name and description (optional) to make it easier to use.

Click the Finish button to complete the process and create the new rule.

Windows firewall configuration - Activate port firewall SoftWin - step 8

 

You can then make changes to the settings of the new rule you have created.

Windows firewall configuration - Activate port firewall SoftWin - step 9

 

Go further

Browse all the Dedicated Servers guides.

Browse the rest of the OVHcloud US documentation for guides on our other products and services.

Learn more about Dedicated Servers on the OVHcloud US website.