Firewalls

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Firewalls

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Sometime an internet Firewall will block DEX from accessing the internet.

Windows Firewall is a built-in security feature of Microsoft Windows operating systems that helps protect your computer from unauthorized access over a network. It monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic based on a set of rules and filters that you can configure.

By default, Windows Firewall blocks incoming connections to your computer from the internet and allows outbound connections from your computer to the internet. You can customize the firewall settings to allow or block specific programs, ports, and protocols.

Windows Firewall also includes advanced security features such as network address translation (NAT) and internet protocol security (IPSec). NAT allows multiple devices on a network to share a single public IP address, while IPSec provides encryption and authentication for network traffic.

Overall, Windows Firewall is an important security feature that helps protect your computer and network from potential security threats.

DEX accesses the internet to:

Optionally find out if there is a new version available. You can always turn this off.

Optionally download new versions. You cancel a download if DEX detects there is a new version. You can also turn off update checks at this point. However you are recommended to download new versions as they often contain essential bug fixes.

Download the latest part libraries.

Obtain a software license for your machine.

Allow you to view and/or update your account details.

How to allow a program to communicate through Windows Firewall

A firewall can either be software-based or hardware-based and is used to help keep a network secure. Its primary objective is to control the incoming and outgoing network traffic by analyzing the data packets and determining whether it should be allowed through or not, based on a predetermined rule set. A network firewall provides a security perimeter between a local area network (LAN) and external networks like the internet.   Computers on the LAN side of the network are considered to be trusted and secure, while computers on the external side of the firewall are considered to be untrusted and may pose a risk to computers on the trusted side of the firewall.  The firewall is utilized to restrict communication between the trusted and untrusted networks.  

By default, most programs are blocked by Windows Firewall, to help make your computer more secure. To work properly, some programs might require you to allow them to communicate through the firewall. Here's how to do that:

1.Open Windows Firewall by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Security, and then clicking Windows Firewall.

2.In the left pane, click Allow a program through Windows Firewall.   If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

3.Select the check box next to the program you want to allow, and then click OK.

Warning

Before allowing any program through the firewall, make sure you understand the risks involved.

Can't Get Your Software Key?

You can enter the software key manually. To get a software key you can go to https://dexpcb.com/Account/SoftwareKey

 

Firewalls

 

A computer firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It establishes a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, such as the Internet.

Firewalls are critical for controlling traffic allowed to enter and leave the network, which adds an extra layer of security by blocking unauthorized users from accessing the network, and by preventing malicious applications or viruses from damaging the network or the devices connected to it.

Firewalls can be hardware, software, or a combination of both. Here's a bit about each type:

Hardware Firewalls: These are standalone devices that are positioned between your network and the gateway (where your network connects to the internet). They're useful for protecting multiple computers on a network, making them common in businesses and schools.

Software Firewalls: These are installed directly onto a computer and control network traffic in and out of that single machine. They can be customized to a greater extent than hardware firewalls, allowing you to control the network settings for each application on the computer.

There are different types of firewalls, including:

Packet-Filtering Firewalls: The most basic type of firewall. They inspect packets of data coming into the network and block or allow them based on the source, destination, and type of data.

Stateful Inspection Firewalls: These monitor the state of active connections and use this information to determine which network packets to allow through.

Proxy Firewalls: These act as intermediaries for requests from one network to another, effectively masking the true network addresses.

Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs): These combine traditional firewall features with other network device filtering functionality, such as an intrusion prevention system (IPS) and application control.

Threat-Focused NGFWs: These extend NGFW capabilities beyond identifying applications and blocking malware to also include detecting and remediation of attacks that have either slipped through or originated from inside the network.

Firewalls are a fundamental part of any network security strategy, protecting internal networks from threats on the wider internet. They work alongside other security measures like anti-virus software, intrusion detection systems, and encryption tools to maintain the security of a network.