Should I turn off my firewall? Is it safe to disable Windows Firewall?
No. Keep your firewall on. It blocks unwanted connections coming into your computer from the network, and it rarely gets in the way of normal use. If one trusted app is blocked, allow just that app instead of turning the whole firewall off.
A firewall is a gatekeeper between your computer and the network. Windows has one built in, Microsoft Defender Firewall, and it costs nothing. It is especially important on public Wi-Fi, like in a café or airport, where strangers share the same network. Choosing Public for those networks makes Windows stricter.
Be wary of anyone who tells you to switch it off, especially a caller claiming to be tech support. That is a common scam step. When an app shows an "Allow access" box, allow it only if you trust the app, and usually only on Private networks such as your home Wi-Fi.
- Open Windows Security, then Firewall & network protection
- Check that each network type shows the firewall is on
- If something is off, select it and turn it back on
- For one blocked trusted app, use Allow an app through firewall instead
- On a Mac, find the firewall in System Settings under Network
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The Firewall
From the Your Computer on a Network course. What the firewall blocks, Private vs Public networks, and why it stays on.
Try it on the practice computer Read the full lesson
The reading is free. The hands-on lab is part of Pro.