NoteWhen Outpost Firewall is installed, the default mode is Rules Wizard mode. This mode helps you decide whether an application should be allowed a network connection. Rules Wizard facilitates the specifying of applicable network parameters for each type of application.
The Rules Wizard makes your life a little easier. Instead of having to create a new and often complex rule each time a new application is run, Rules Wizard does the work for you by basing its presets on all well-known applications. Rules Wizard even recommends the best selection for you. Unless you know of a better choice, simply okay Outpost's recommendation.
The choices you can make for an application in Rules Wizard mode are as follows:
| Choice | Purpose | Result |
| Allow all activities for this application | For applications you trust completely | All network requests by this application are allowed and the application is given the status Trusted Application. |
| Block all activities for this application | For applications that should not be allowed network access | All network activities for this application are disabled. The application is given the status Blocked application. |
| Create rules using preset | For applications that can obtain network access under specific protocols, via specific ports, etc | Creates a rule for the application that limits network access to specific ports and protocols using presets worked out by our engineers that are optimum for most purposes. This application will be included in the Partially allowed applications list. |
| Allow once | For applications that you are doubtful of but want to see what they do with the connection | This network connection is allowed this time. The next time this application tries to establish a network connection, this same dialog window appears. No rule is created for the application. |
| Block once | For applications that you do not trust but do not want to block totally | This network connection will be blocked this time. The next attempt by this application to establish a network connection results in this same dialog window. No rule is created for the application. |
You can also create your own rule for an application rather than select one of the presets. To create a rule:
Click on the down arrow at the right side of the Create rules using preset pull down
Go right to the last selection at the bottom of the pull-down list and select Other
Click the OK button.
This brings up the Rules dialog where you can create any rule for this application. For more information about creating such rules read the Application rules chapter.
NoteThe Allow Once and Block Once buttons are available only for some connections (outgoing TCP connections). When these functions are unavailable, their buttons are grayed out.