The built-in Windows Firewall does an acceptable job of protecting your computer against many backdoor communication attempts. Many applications that require a firewall exception to be added will do so automatically during installation (such as online games), but sometimes you will need to manually allow an application to have access to the internet.

First, load up the Control Panel by clicking on the Start Menu then Control Panel:

Then, click Security:

Now select Allow a program through Windows Firewall:

Once the Windows Firewall Settings box has loaded, click Add Program (if you wanted to allow a port, click Add Port):

You can add an application from the list (if it appears), or browse for the application you wish to allow manually:

Once you have selected the application, click OK. Once you have clicked OK for a second time in the Firewall Settings window you have successfully added a firewall exception.

Sometimes you will need to move, delete or modify files within Windows, but you might get a permission error. This is probably for a good reason, as these files could be essential to the running of Vista, however sometimes file permissions can be set incorrectly.

To fix this problem you’ll need to take ownership of the files by doing the following. Right click on the file you wish to take ownership of and select Properties:

Then click the Security tab and select the Advanced button:

The click the Owner tab and then the Edit button:

In this window, select the new owner of the file (normally, your username). Then click OK:

The file is now under your ownership!