What and How Basics of Windows Firewall

What is a Firewall?
Firewall is a software or hardware which helps users in detecting and keeping all the malwares away from PC. Firewall is the most effective software that helps you in protecting your PC. It is also important to turn on your firewall prior to connecting to the Internet.Windows_Firewall

Need of Firewall –
Today computer environment has become pretty unreceptive. Hence, it has become very important to get a complete protection for your computer security otherwise hackers can get access to your PC as well as your valuable data. Apart from hackers, your computer can also get affected by Virus and other malwares. Firewall is used as a preventive measure to stay away from all such malicious items.

How does Windows Firewall work?
Windows Firewall monitors every-network traffic which is enabled. Firewall keeps track of every communication that is originated from your PC and also it prevents your PC from all the unsolicited items.

If needed, firewall dynamically opens ports and allows your computer to receive traffic that you have specifically requested, such as a Web page for which you have clicked the address.

Windows Firewall also helps user in blocking of unidentified traffic that can reach to your PC. For special uses, such as networking, hosting online games, or hosting your own Web server, you can select ports which you want to leave open. This allows others to make connections to your computer, but it can also reduce security.

It is always suggested that a firewall product must be well aware of windows firewall basics and use procedure.

Nonetheless, configuration of firewall creates issues in browsing of many websites, such as, gaming sites, web or other server. If you are also facing such issues, these problems can be well-treated with help of expert computer technicians.

(Note - Apart from handling the issues of Windows Firewall, technical support experts also help you configuration of complete PC protection system.)

Benefits

* Windows 7 firewall is considered of high importance for big corporate houses. They serve as a core of secure networking environment and keep hackers staying away from your computer and crucial information.

* It offers a secure web browsing environment and reduces of your worries any data theft. It also diminishes the percentage on internal threats.

* If you want an extensive reach on internet. You can customize your firewall settings. This would help you in blocking only unwanted IP address but rest would be functioning nice.

* You can decide upon the protocols to be included in your firewall's filters. You can customize it for some of the commonly used protocols, which are: IP, HTTP, TCP, FTP, SMTP etc.

* Your firewall can be to customized to allow or block any port number

How to configure Windows Firewall on Your PC

* Click the Windows icon & select Control Panel

* Click on System and Security.

* Click on Windows Firewall

* If a green check mark is visible, you are running Windows Firewall.

Types of Firewall
There are various types of Firewall which can be configured on your PC. These are respectably -


* Packet filtering firewall – this firewall is used to examine the information available in the header of message packet.

* Application-level gateways – This firewall work on the application layer of the protocol and it works in a pretty intelligent manner than the packet filtering firewall.

* Circuit-level gateways

* Hybrid firewall

Windows 7 - 7 Physical Damage Situations

Data stored in the hard drive gets inaccessible when it gets corrupted due to logical or physical crashes. While data lost from a logically corrupted hard drive can be recovered by using a data recovery software, data lost after physical damage is beyond the recovery from data recovery software. For maximum and systematic recovery of data from a physically damaged hard disk, in case you have not maintained any backup, you will need to take help an organization that provides advanced data recovery services.

How to know that your hard drive is physically damaged?

Seven most common factors that help you to know that your hard drive has been physically damaged are discussed below:

Your hard disk powers on and then automatically winds down, making your hard drive non-responsive.
Your hard disk unit produces an OCCASIONAL or CONSTANT clicking sound.
Your hard disk drive shows no sign of power.
Your hard disk drive does not produce any sound of the drive 'winding up'.
Your hard disk drive powers on and then regularly spins with a winding sound.
Your hard disk does not mount even though your hard disk unit powers on.
Your hard disk powers on and produces a scraping sound.

Reasons for Physical damage of your hard drive?

In most situations, a hard drive gets physically damaged due to below seven reasons:

Head Crash
Media Damage
Controller Error
Actuator Failure
Damaged Motor
Natural Disasters
Accidental Dropping

Below are some precautions that help you to avoid any further damage to the data stored in your hard disk:
Immediately STOP using the physically damaged disk
Place your hard disk into a bag to save it from any further environmental factors.
Do not attempt to self-repair a physically damaged hard drive.

For complete recovery of data from a physically damaged Windows 7 based hard disk, you will need to search for an established company that provides effective data recovery services. Such companies use the expertise of highly-talented and rich-experienced data recovery experts who use advanced tools and techniques to ensure maximum recovery.

How to Get Windows 7?

It could be difficult for you to choose, whether migrate to Windows 7 or continue with existing operating system. And yet, as is often the case, the choice is not as easy as it looks because once you plan to switch to Windows 7, you will also have to determine the best place to get Windows 7 & an edition that will suit your needs.
Windows 7 Editions
There are six editions of Windows 7 available in the market – Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate. Now choosing the appropriate edition out of these six may be a huge task but in reality, you’ll have only three Windows 7 editions to choose from. So your choice is therefore simplified to the left three editions: Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate.
The numerous versions of Windows 7 are built such that each edition has all the functionalities of the previous editions plus other extra features, which make that edition unique. Also, you can use the Anytime Upgrade tool to buy a product key online and upgrade your existing Windows 7 license to a better edition. For example, if you wish to buy Windows 7 Home Premium, you can use Anytime Upgrade and move to Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate version anytime.
In my opinion, if you use your system mostly at home and for entertainment purpose, Windows 7 Home Premium is a great option. Or if you plan to run it on your office PC, Windows 7 Professional is a good choice. If you want a complete package, buy Windows 7 Ultimate.
How to Get Windows 7?
If you’re planning to get Windows 7 for your own PC, I would recommend you order or download it today from Microsoft official website: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/faq.aspx. When you buy Windows 7, you will have two options for instance, the upgrade and full version. Both comprise the same features. If you have Windows XP or Windows Vista running your PC, go for the upgrade version. If you don't, you'll need to get the full version.

Simple Way Of Install windows 7

Microsoft’s latest Windows 7 has removed the issues of software confliction and difficult user-interface of previous Windows Vista. In addition to that it has been equipped with innovative technologies like multi-core support, handwriting recognition, virtualization and Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), so that you can experience the next-generation computing features.
Hence, demands of installation/upgrade to latest Windows 7 is on the rise. However, it is always important to prepare yourself before rushing for the upgrade. You should check whether your computer’s configuration will support Windows 7.
If your present operating system is Windows Vista, then you don’t need to think much. Simply go online or purchase CD/DVD of Windows 7 installation.
However, if you have a computer with earlier versions like Windows XP, Windows 2000 etc, then you need to be careful
Firstly, check the compatibility of hardware components in your computer with respect to that of Windows 7. You can easily check it with the help of Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, which is available for free download in Microsoft’s website. It scans and prompts the report. If your computer is lacking somewhere, it suggests the upgrade requirement.
Following are the minimum hardware configuration to install Windows 7:
• Processor-1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• Memory-1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
• Hard disk-16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
• Graphic card-DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

Take the backup of previous files and settings of your computer. You can make use of external hard disk or USB flash drive to take the back up. If you are not an computer expert, then don’t worry. Microsoft presents Windows 7 Easy Transfer that can be downloaded from its website. This program can take back up of your entire computer’s storage, in few minutes in an easy way.
Now, start the process of Windows 7 installation. Drop the CD/DVD on the tray of your DVD drive and restart your computer. You will be prompted to “Press any key to boot from CD/DVD.” However, if you don’t get this option, go into the BIOS and change the boot order from hard drive to DVD drive. After the file is loaded, installation wizard appears. Mention your language preferences, and then click “Install Now.” You have to accept the license agreement and select to do a custom install. Enter username and computer name, when the installation is over.

Microsoft clears Windows 7 to advertisers

Microsoft has cracked open new Windows 7 to commercial sponsorship with desktop themes from advertisers. The firm declared desktops from Ducati, Infiniti, Porsche, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Twentieth Century Fox under a pilot program that’ll execute until next October. Microsoft also build its own new Winodws 7 themes for Xbox Gears of War, Zune, and Bing.

Microsoft said the themes will give a robust sponsorship chance that’ll extend to latest Windows 7 borders and sounds, gadgets and Internet Explorer 8 add-ons that ultimately send people to the advertiser’s home page. Microsoft is also touting ad space for companies on its MSN and Windows Live properties. The firm said in a statement the Windows themes would helps consumers customize their technology to shine the things in life they are most passionate about as long as that’s Porches, sugary fizzy drinks, and films. The declaration attracted support from advertisers who spoke in terms of chances for their brands to hire with people.

Microsoft first boasted the idea of ads in the software a few years back, and last month announced Office 2010 Starter Edition, a functionally limited version of the forthcoming Office 2010 that’ll only be available pre-loaded on new PCs and be will funded by advertising. Microsoft has recruited country-music queen to raise IE 8 among the red-state, Opry-loving, web-surfing demographic. In a delightfully self-slighting performance.

In another development, in a security advisory, Microsoft admitted that a fault in SMB (Server Message Block), a Microsoft-made network file and print-sharing protocol, could be used by attackers to lame new Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 machines. The zero-day vulnerability was first reported by Canadian researcher when he exposed the fault and posted proof-of-concept attack code to the Full Disclosure security mailing list. According to it, working with the defects crashes Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 systems so thoroughly that the only recourse is to manually power off the computers.

Microsoft is aware of public, detailed effort code that would cause a system to stop operating or become unreliable. The company is not aware of attacks to exploit the reported vulnerability at this time. The exposure could not be used by hackers to install malicious code on a new Windows 7 system. Both SMBv1 and its successor, SMBv2, comprises of the faults. Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000 are not impacted.

Attacks could be focussed at any browser, not just Internet Explorer (IE), Microsoft warned. After tricking users into visiting a malicious site or a previously-compromised domain, hackers could feed them specially-forged URIs (uniform resource identifier), and then crash their PCs with distorted SMB packets. Microsoft said it may plot the problem, but didn’t spell out a schedule or commit to an out-of-cycle update before the next regularly-scheduled Patch. Rather, the company suggested users stop TCP ports 139 and 445 at the firewall. Doing so, however, would invalid browsers as well as a host of critical services, including network file-sharing and IT group policies.

Problem Steps Recorder In Windows 7

If you’ve ever worked as a technician and become extremely frustrated while trying to coax an end user into accurately describing the problem that has been encountered, you will definitely love a new tool in Microsoft Windows 7 called the Problem Steps Recorder. When started, this new feature will essentially record each and every step a user takes and document the entire operation in both screen captures and step-by-step details. When stopped, the Problem Steps Recorder will save the recorded information as a compiled HTML file and package it up in a ZIP file that the end user can then e-mail to the help desk.

The Problem Steps Recorder is an efficient tool in Windows 7 that can be used by the user to record the steps over phone by some expert. Hence, you don’t have to suffer calling again and again.
The beauty of this windows 7 feature is when any application starts misbehaving under Windows 7 then all your friends need do is click Start, type PSR and press Enter, then click Start Record. If they work through whatever they are doing then the PSR will record every click and keypress, take screen grabs, and accommodate everything up into a single zipped HTML file when they’re finished. After completing all this process it will be ready for emailing to you.

PSR (Problem Steps Recorder), can be start by a regular user or by an administrator.

1. User can record a series of actions performed on a computer.
2. Document those actions, in the order that they were performed using text and screen captures at the moment that the action was performed.
3. This documentation will include where the user clicked on each option on the screen.
4. The documentation won’t include anything that the end user typed for privacy reasons.
5. PSR will allow the user running it to create “Comments” throughout the process.
6. The PSR report will show the version of the operating system and even the URLs of any web pages that the user was accessing during the process.

In order to solve a network problem follow the given instructions:

● At First, start PSR by going to Start and type psr in the search box. Press Enter.
● When PSR comes up, press Start Record or use Alt-A.
● Now, perform your process. For instance, you can perform a number of steps.
● Do not forget to enter comments during your process to make your documentation even better. When you enter comments, you will be prompted to mark an area of the screen that will be added to the PSR report.
● When you are done with the process you want to document / record, press Stop Record and you will be prompted for the name to give your report.
● Now you are ready to view your report .
Note: In this article, we covered the new Windows 7 “Problem Steps Recorder”, how to use it, and how it can save you, as a Windows Administrator, so much time. Because the “PSR” is able to quickly and easily document any problem in Windows 7, step by step, in written form, it is a great way to document any series of steps on your computer or an end user’s computer.

Windows 7 is the operating system Vista should have been. Windows 7 boots up comparatively quickly. Also the drivers already exist in it to make peripherals such as scanners and printers work with it, and it does so many clever things that XP, which Windows most people still use, just doesn’t.

The installation process of Windows 7 takes over an hour, but once started and running Windows 7’s advantages were impressive. However, the process made it obvious that it hadn’t in fact crashed midway through and at least process was clearly saying what it was doing.

The two aspects that are at the heart of Windows 7 are based around the “Homegroup” and the enhanced ways of inputting and viewing information. Now It very easy to share files and printers on a home network through this feature. Connect two or more PCs running Windows 7, and HomeGroup will automatically start sharing your music, pictures, video, and document libraries with others in network. Home Group is also secure and you can give password to share files and folders. This feature is available with all the editions of Windows7. You can access your frequently used programs, songs, pictures and document. You can open this feature just by right-clicking a program icon on the Windows 7 taskbar. What you access in a Jump List depends entirely on the program. The Jump List for IE shows frequently-viewed websites. You can quickly access to commands for things like composing new e-mail messages or playing music.

The search is faster and easy. You just need to type into the Start menu search box and you will have a list of relevant documents, pictures and etc. Not only this it can also search any external storage device.
The new multi-touch technology in Windows 7 allows you to browse online newspapers, flick through photo albums, and shuffle files and folders by using just your fingers on the desktop.

With Windows 7, it’s awesome to work on desktop. There are new features called Aero Shake, Aero Peek, and Snap. You can try the new desktop slide show, which displays a rotating series of pictures. The task bar play a vital role in any operating system, so Microsoft has completely changed the task bar to help you work smarter, cut clutter, and get more done. Now you can stick your gadgets anywhere on the desktop that is not possible in Windows Vista. Personalize your desktop backgrounds, window colors, and sounds.

Another important enhancements for Windows 7 over Windows Vista is that the new operating system will run on a range of machines, from low-specification netbooks to high-powered desktops. The operating systems has been tested it on a mid-range Studio Hybrid, and found Windows 7 to be much more impressive than Vista.
However, as with all new operating systems, expect some initial issues in the first few weeks. Microsoft, and its partners, generally work swiftly to solve these problems, but if you feel that you are not ready to install any software patches to your computer, or perhaps trying to troubleshoot the odd head-scratching problem on your own, then it might be best to wait a some time until the early problems are solved out before taking the plunge.

Windows 7: MS to take on Google, Apple

NEW YORK: Microsoft is this week preparing to take off the gloves in his fight with arch rivals Apple
and Google.

On Thursday, the software giant will release Windows 7, in probably the most popular version of its operating system since Windows XP launched in 2001. The company is also expected to give more details about the other big bet - its first stores.

But what analysts are more interested in that Microsoft is the way to tackle the rise of "cloud" - large data centers that host large software applications remotely, eliminating the need to purchase upgrades or maintaining an awkward box units hard drive at home or office. In a market where Google and Apple have high ambitions to run these vast, virtual mainframes, this means that Windows 7 could be the last of his kind.

Google, the search giant announced in the summer to launch a PC operating system, Chrome OS.

Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's chief executive, will unveil Windows 7 at a press conference in New York on Thursday. Analysts are also expecting him to elaborate on Microsoft's plans for independent shops promoting their software and devices, including Xbox computer games and mobile phones that run Microsoft software.

Microsoft-Watch Matt Rosoff said the company would be willing to tackle the rise of Google as a provider of software and shows how you will compete with other online software services. Most word processing services for storing and editing images available online, Rosoff said: "Microsoft has a tough job to do and to convince businesses to consumers that an operating system is still important."

Last update to Microsoft Windows was a marketing disaster. Bugs plagued Vista after its release in January 2007. Windows 7 so far has received mostly favorable reviews, analysts expect could give a boost to business investment in IT.

Apple is far behind Microsoft, but has taken the lead in mobile devices with its iPod and iPhone. Microsoft now seeks to beat Apple at their own game and shooting a series of shops. Analysts expect Ballmer to announce the opening of the first Microsoft store dedicated in Scottsdale, Arizona, with more to follow. It has also hit back at Google with the launch of an improved search engine, Bing.

Both Apple and Microsoft release results this week. The figures come after the impressive performance of Google last week.

Windows 7 Windows Resizing Tricks

Windows 7 has some nice windows resizing tricks. It also retains some of the tricks introduced in Vista, that you may not know about, even if you are a regular Vista user.
New to Windows 7 are title bar mouse gestures.

You can maximize a window just by dragging it off the top of the screen, which is great. You can restore the window by dragging the title bar down, which is even better.
If you want to move the window, you can start from a maximized window and just drag it to where you want it. Before you had to restore it first, then move it. With Windows 7, when you drag the window down, it restores, then you just keep dragging it to where you want it.

Drag a window off the edge of the screen, and the window resized to half the screen. Drag another window off the other side of the screen, and you now have two documents arranged neatly side by side.

There is another nice full height trick. Drag the top edge of a window beyond the top of the screen, and it automatically resizes to the full height of the screen, without changing the width. You can also drag the bottom of the window down if you prefer.
Right-clicking the taskbar gives you more windows arrangement features which were also available in Vista. You can arrange up to three windows side by side, or stacked one above the other. More than that and the arrangement is less neat, but you still may find it useful.

You may not have been aware of this feature even in Vista. Previous versions of Windows had something similar, but it worked with all running applications. Since Vista, it works with only open windows, so you can minimize all the windows you don't want to arrange, then work with the rest, making these functions actually useful.