How can I tell if I have a firewall?

With antivirus software you primarily protect yourself from malware and viruses. To protect your system or a network from unwanted access as well, you need a firewall. Learn how to check if your computer is protected by a firewall.

Check Windows firewall - here's how

To ensure your system is fully protected, it's important to use a firewall as well as antivirus software. Microsoft has equipped Windows with its own firewall by default, which is automatically activated unless otherwise set. Via the control panel of your computer, you can check the status of the firewall and adjust various settings.

1. Call up the Start menu and click on the gear icon to call up the system settings.
2. Click in the overview on "Updates and Security".
3. Now select the item "Windows Security" in the navigation on the left.
4. Click on "Firewall & Network Protection". In the overview, you will find the status and setting options for the various sub-areas of the firewall.

So that you can make changes to the firewall settings, you need an administrator release.

Alternatives to the Windows firewall

Most current antivirus programs often offer, in addition to protection against malware and other malicious software, their own firewall, which you can use as an alternative to the Windows firewall. The software packages from Kaspersky or Bitdefender, for example, are equipped with extensive firewalls. Also, some of the free protection programs also have a firewall.