Advanced Rules: Provide a Name, Specify Allow or Block

The General tab (click to view image) is used to provide a name for the rule you are creating, as well as the effect that the rule will have (allowing or blocking traffic).

  1. First, enter a rule description. This will also function as the name of the rule, and it should indicate qualities of the rule. For instance, "Rule1" may not be a very good name for a rule, but "Block After 10 PM" would be (assuming the rule had some sort of function that did block traffic after 10 PM).

  2. Second, decide the main action of the rule - do you want to block traffic, or allow traffic?

  3. Next, choose which network interface card this rule will apply to. If you have multiple network cards, select one from the list box, or select All network interface cards to apply the rule to every card.

  4. Decide if this rule will be influenced by the activation of your computer's screensaver (if applicable).

  5. OnThe rule will be activated only when the screensaver is on. This is a great feature if you want to block all traffic and all ports while you computer is idle.

  6. OffThis rule will be activated only if the screen saver is off and all other conditions are satisfied.

  7. Both On and OffThis rule is unaffected by the screensaver.

  8. Click Record this traffic in "Packet Log" if you want traffic affected by this rule to be entered in the Packet Log.

  9. The Rule Summary field at the bottom of the General tab provides a summary of the rule's functionality. Click OK to set the rule, or click on another tab to further specify rule conditions and properties.