Firewall Inbound and Outbound

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@Rebs991 wrote:

Hi,

 

I have mcafee firewall installed. Can someone please explain the outbound and inbound to me. Sometimes when I download programs it ask to grant inbound or outbound access. I would think inbound would allow someone access to your pc.. and outbound allows them to retrieve info?? I noticed some programs do not work if one or the other access is not granted. I guess what I'm asking is what should be allowed and what shouldn't be allowed, and which access?

 

Hope this makes sense .. lol.

 

Your analysis is correct.  If a program wants to allow access from the internet, you have to ask yourself why?  What information is it trying to retrieve from the internet, and what information is it taking from my machine and sending?

 

Example - Microsoft Media Player can send info on the songs you have to the internet, and then provide you with artist, playtime, etc. from its database.  Of course, that also gives the ability to know what you're listening to, and when you give access you don't restrict what they can gain access to.

 

A bigger issue is with downloaded programs.  By and large, you should be VERY, VERY CONCERNED with any piece of software you download that it doesn't contain spyware or a virus, and if it wants access to go OUT to the internet, you should again ask yourself why.