When a device or network is trying to connect to your computer and connection cannot be established, it is likely caused by the VIPRE firewall not recognizing the device, application, or network that is trying to communicate to your computer, therefore, blocking or preventing any access to your computer until an exception is made. This is normal behavior of the firewall doing its job. To allow communication you will need to set exceptions for applications that establish a connection and send data over the internet.
First, make sure that is the VIPRE Firewall causing the issues by turning the VIPRE Firewall Off and trying to reproduce the issue. If it works with the Firewall off, proceed below. If it still does not work with the Firewall Off, try shutting down VIPRE temporarily. If the issue persists, then it is not VIPRE causing the issue. Check the device, and settings, or contact the manufacturer and/or software developer instead.
Application or Device Blocked by the Firewall
For VIPRE to recognize your device or network, you will need to add exceptions to your VIPRE Firewall
1) Open the VIPRE interface
2) Click the Manage tab then select the Firewall option on the left.
3) Scroll all the way down until you see Firewall Default Behaviors and select learning.
4) A notification labeled "Firewall Learning Mode" will prompt you to confirm the action, place a check in the delete custom rules, too option, and click the Reset button. This will erase all custom-made rules and reset the firewall back to default
5) Try to access the application, and network of the device again and you will be prompted with a VIPRE notification about allowing the application to communicate to your computer over the network. Click Trust Location or put a checkmark under the Make A rule box and click Allow for VIPRE to make an exception.
You should now be able to establish a connection to your printer/scanner, application, or internet.
6) Once this is completed, you can change the firewall settings back to Standard Mode in the same procedure as above. Ensuring that the check box for Delete custom rules, too remains unchecked, otherwise, VIPRE continues to ask for your permission every time you try to access a connection.
Firewall Application and Port Exceptions
The best way to address a problem like this is to find out the exact path and name of the executable that is attempting to make the connections over the internet. The easiest way to find this out is by checking the properties of the shortcut file. The file path in the Target field is what you need to add to the Firewall exceptions.
1) Open the VIPRE interface
2) Click the Manage tab then select the Firewall option on the left.
3) Scroll down until you see Firewall Protection and click the Manage Rules button.
4) Click the Add App Rule button to add exceptions and enter the path you identified from the target field.
5) Select Allow for Trusted Inbound and Outbound.
- You can do the same for Public Inbound and Outbound, but it is recommended to set this to Prompt.
- Continue to make port exceptions if necessary by clicking the Ports tab and clicking Add
6) Enter a name for the rule
7) Click browse and navigate to the executable or paste the path to the executable in the Application field
8) Select the Port drop-down and enter the port
9) Select the Protocol (TCP or UDP) and clickOK
RDP/Remote Desktop Protocol Connections are blocked