The Firewall Improves...But How Do You Configure It?
The Windows Firewall has been improved as well. It now adds two-way filtering, so that it can block outbound connections as well as inbound connections -- but if you want to configure how it blocks outbound connections, you'll have to find a hidden configuration screen that can't be accessed via the Control Panel, the Security Center, the Windows Firewall dialog box, or any other obvious method.
To get to the hidden configuration screen, type "Windows Firewall" in the search box, then click "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security." After clicking through a UAC dialog box, you'll come to a screen (shown below) that lets you configure the firewall in exquisite detail. You'll be able to configure inbound and outbound rules, establish rules about how the firewall should work when making direct PC-to-PC connections, and much more. The level of detail is extraordinary; you can even customize how it handles the IPsec security protocol.
 If you manage to find this hidden configuration screen, you'll be able to customize the Windows Firewall in exquisite detail. Click image to enlarge. |
There has been a great deal of confusion about the precise workings of the Windows Firewall. Some press reports have said that outbound filtering will be turned off by default. That's not true, according to Microsoft's Austin Wilson, director for the Windows client. At a reviewer's conference in Seattle, Wilson said that Windows core services will be blocked from making outbound connections for security reasons. Other outbound connections will be allowed, although they can be blocked on an application-by-application and port-by-port basis. To do that, get to the "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security" screen.
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• Better User Account Control • Search Is Finally Here • Improved Firewall, Fit And Finish • There's Still Work To Be Done |
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Better Fit And Finish
In addition to fixing UAC and adding search, this version of the beta has more polish and "fit and finish" -- the interface is cleaner and better organized. This becomes apparent when you drill down into the Control Panel. It's now far easier and less confusing to accomplish many tasks.
One of the best examples is the Network and Internet applet. (Get there by choosing Control Panel, then clicking "Network and Internet.") The Sync Center was missing from the previous version of this applet, a glaring omission. In addition, there were three different ways to view a map of your network: by clicking "Network Map," "View a map of your network," or "View network map." In the current beta, there's only one choice, "Network Map," which cleans things up.
 The old Network Center applet showed several options to let you view your network map. Click image to enlarge. |
 The new Network Center applet is cleaned up and less confusing. Click image to enlarge. |
These kinds of changes have been made throughout Vista. And there are nice new additions as well, such as a new Backup and Restore Center that makes it much simpler to find and use Vista's backup and restoration tools.
Another nice addition is the Snipping Tool utility. It's a clever new applet that lets you copy any portion of any screen, annotate it, then send it via e-mail, copy it to the clipboard as a graphic, or save it as an HTML file or graphic file. It's a great way to capture and annotate screenshots, or information or graphics you find on the Web, and then share them with others.
 The Snipping Tool is a clever new way to capture and annotate screen shots. Click image to enlarge. |
