Purpose
Microsoft Windows Firewall and Windows Firewall with Advanced Security protect computers on which they are running from unsolicited network traffic. The Windows Firewall and Windows Firewall with Advanced Security APIs make it possible to programmatically manage the features of Windows Firewall (formerly known as Internet Connection Firewall) by allowing applications to create, enable, and disable firewall exceptions. The Windows Firewall with Advanced Security is available only on Windows Vista.
Where Applicable
The Windows Firewall API is intended for situations in which a software application or setup program must operate with adjustments to the configuration of the networking environment in which it runs. For example, a service that needs to receive unsolicited traffic can use this API to create exceptions that allow the unsolicited traffic.
Developer Audience
The Windows Firewall API is designed for use by programmers using C/C++, Microsoft Visual Basic development system, Visual Basic Scripting Edition, and JScript development software. Programmers should be familiar with networking concepts such as stateful packet filtering, TCP/IP protocol concepts, and network address translation (NAT).
Run-Time Requirements
The Windows Firewall API is supported on Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2). For more specific information about which operating systems support a particular programming element, refer to the Requirements sections in the documentation.
The Windows Firewall with Advanced Security API is available only on Windows Vista.
In This Section
| Topic | Description |
|---|
Overview | General information about Windows Firewall API.
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Using | Usage examples for Windows Firewall API.
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Reference | Documentation for Windows Firewall interfaces, structures, and other code elements.
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History | General information about the changes in firewall technology.
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Build date: 6/25/2009