Shortcut to the Software: the System Tray Icon

Once installed, the Personal Firewall displays a small icon in your system tray (located on the right end of your task bar), consisting of two arrows. The arrows represent system traffic: the upward-pointing arrow is outgoing traffic; the downward-pointing arrow is incoming traffic.

These arrows give you a real-time update of your computer’s traffic flow. You might not see a constant icon appearance for more than a few seconds, especially if you frequently use the Internet or your network connection.

The colors of the arrows are always changing (as is the traffic flow on your computer). For most users, it should be sufficient to remember the following points about the colors of the icon:

System Tray Icon colors

If the color of the arrow is...

...then...

RED

...traffic is being blocked by the Personal Firewall.

BLUE

...traffic is flowing uninterrupted by the Personal Firewall.

GRAY

...no traffic is flowing in that direction.

Alert ModeFlashing System Tray Icon

The System Tray Icon will sometimes flash on and off. This tells you that the Personal Firewall is in Alert Mode. Alert Mode occurs when the Personal Firewall records an attempted attack on your computer. To view the attack information, double-click on the icon. The Security Log will open, displaying new log entries.

The icon will stop flashing after you double-click it and view the Security Log. Note that opening the Security Log through the main console will not cause the System Tray Icon to stop flashing.

 

 

For information on reading a Security Log, start with the "Understanding Logs."

Using the System Tray Icon

You can easily configure basic aspects of the Personal Firewall without even opening the main console. By right-clicking on the System Tray Icon, you can change your security level, view Help or log files, or even disable the Personal Firewall.

System Tray Icon

Menu Option

What It will do for you...

Sygate Personal Firewall

Opens the Personal Firewall main console.

Block All

Normal

Allow All

Blocks all network traffic.

Provides your pre-chosen list of security policies and applies them.

Allows all network traffic. This setting should be used for troubleshooting only.

Applications

Opens the Applications List.

Logs

Opens the Logs.

Options...

Opens the Options dialog box, where you can make detailed choices about your security.

Advanced Rules

Opens the Advanced Rules dialog box, where you can write specific rules for Allowing or Blocking network access.

Hide System Tray Icon

Removes the display of the System Tray icon for the Personal Firewall. The Personal Firewall is still running, but you no longer see the icon. To re-enable the icon, run the Personal Firewall and choose the option to show it: From the Start menu, choose Sygate Personal Firewall. Then, from the Tools menu, toggle the Hide System Tray Icon to toggle the choice back on.

Help Topics...

Opens the online help system.

About...

Opens the About window, providing information on your installation of the Personal Firewall.

Exit Sygate Personal Firewall

Disables the Personal Firewall.
Option Alert: This option may appear dimmed or not at all. For further information, see "Some Options May Not Show."

 

You can roll your mouse over the System Tray Icon to see your current security level.

What the System Tray Icon Tells You

The table below illustrates the different appearances that the System Tray Icon may have, and what they mean.

What the System Tray Icon Tells You

Icon

Meaning

 

The Personal Firewall is in Alert Mode. This means that an attempted attack against your computer has been recorded in your Security Log. To make the icon stop flashing, double-click on the icon. The Security Log will open, displaying a new log entry.

 

The Personal Firewall is in Allow All mode.

 

The Personal Firewall is in Block All mode.

 

Incoming traffic is flowing uninterrupted; there is no outgoing traffic.

 

Both incoming and outgoing traffic are flowing uninterrupted.

 

There is no incoming traffic; outgoing traffic is flowing uninterrupted.

 

Incoming traffic is blocked; outgoing traffic is flowing uninterrupted.

 

Incoming traffic is blocked; there is no outgoing traffic.

 

Both incoming and outgoing traffic are blocked.

 

There is no incoming traffic; outgoing traffic is blocked.

 

Incoming traffic is flowing uninterrupted; outgoing traffic is blocked.

 

No traffic is flowing in either direction.