Is it a mistake to click on "Allow" instead of leaving the "Auto" setting

Re Norton IS 2010 on Vista

 

Not a major problem but I just wanted to ask someone if I had made myself less secure by clicking on the "Allow" setting for Firefox and AOL software instead of leaving it on "Auto" (the program control part of the firewall settings), I noticed when looking within settings that 'Auto' is no longer in the choice of setting once 'Allow' has been clicked, I guess to get it back to Auto a reset to defaults would be necessary.

 

For some reason I thought that by 'Allowing' my main browser & AOL software  IS 2010 would not slow it down etc..

 

Is this ok or is it a mistake??, any reply would be much appreciated as I take the security issue seriously, (I know I perhaps shouldn't tinker with things).

Re Norton IS 2010 on Vista

 

Not a major problem but I just wanted to ask someone if I had made myself less secure by clicking on the "Allow" setting for Firefox and AOL software instead of leaving it on "Auto" (the program control part of the firewall settings), I noticed when looking within settings that 'Auto' is no longer in the choice of setting once 'Allow' has been clicked, I guess to get it back to Auto a reset to defaults would be necessary.

 

For some reason I thought that by 'Allowing' my main browser & AOL software  IS 2010 would not slow it down etc..

 

Is this ok or is it a mistake??, any reply would be much appreciated as I take the security issue seriously, (I know I perhaps shouldn't tinker with things).

Thanks for your reply Mo, I agree with your views but still wonder, as per my original question, does this decrease the level of security?

I think the idea behind it is that the more programs you allow to access the net, the less security you have.  For this reason the firewall blocks specific areas of concern and the program rules are something that you can add to allow you to do what you want.  If you choose to block programs, you will not be able to access the internet with them.

 

When I first set up the firewall, I allow the programs that I want to access the net and specifically block the programs that I don't want to access the net.  For instance, in my case, there is no need for MS Word to access the net.  When the program is installed, the firewall gives it automatic access.  I change it to blocked.  Some of the updaters for programs are unnecessary when you can update manually, so I block those as well.

 

Hope this helps.

An easy way to restore the settings to Auto after you've changed them:  highlight the program and click "Remove".  The next time the program runs, it's back to Auto.

Thanks for your replies

Thanks Marty...so simple yet can be so scary to do when unsure.