Learn more about Smart Firewall

Smart Firewall monitors and regulates all network-related activities from and to your computer. Smart Firewall blocks cybercriminals and other unauthorized traffic, while it allows authorized traffic to pass. Smart Firewall uses Program Rules and Traffic Rules to monitor installed programs and network activities.

When you are connected to a Public network, Smart Firewall disables some Windows services like network discovery, file and printer sharing, remote desktop, and Windows Media Player services. You can enable these services by configuring Public Network Exceptions.

Smart Firewall can be made to work in Normal or Advanced modes. In Normal mode, when firewall detects a Low Risk Application, it shows an alert. Advanced users can set firewall to ignore or alert always when a low risk application is detected.

Configure Low Risk Applications

  1. Open your Norton device security product.

    If you see the My Norton window, next to Device Security, click Open.

  2. In the Norton product main window, click Settings.

  3. In the Settings window, click Firewall.

  4. Click Advanced Program Control.

  5. Under Low Risk Applications, move the switch to Allow or Alert Always.

If you get Firewall Alert pop-ups, it means that Advanced Program Control is turned off. You can let Smart Firewall take decisions automatically by turning on Automatic Program Control.

Turn on Automatic Program Control

  1. Open your Norton device security product.

    If you see the My Norton window, next to Device Security, click Open.

  2. In the Norton product main window, click Settings.

  3. In the Settings window, click Firewall.

  4. Click Advanced Program Control.

  5. Under Automatic Program Control, move the switch to On.

The default setup of Smart Firewall protects your computer most of the time. If you have made any changes to Smart Firewall and want to revert to its default state, you can do that by using the Firewall Reset option.

As soon as you install your Norton product, Smart Firewall starts creating rules for Internet-enabled programs using Automatic Program Control. If Smart Firewall blocks any of the installed programs, you can create a Program Rule to allow Internet connection for that program.

Check whether an installed program is blocked by Norton Firewall

  1. Open your Norton device security product.

    If you see the My Norton window, next to Device Security, click Open.

  2. In the Norton product main window, click Settings.

  3. In the Settings window, click Firewall.

  4. Click Program Control tab.

  5. Locate the program.

  6. Click Access drop-down list.

  7. Select Allow, and then click Apply.

Firewall is an important component of your Norton product. We recommend that you keep Smart Firewall turned on all the time. If you have to disable firewall for troubleshooting purposes, enable firewall as soon as you finish your work.

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