How to Add Firewall Rules to Norton 360?

Norton 360 includes a powerful Smart Firewall that protects your system from suspicious traffic, unauthorized access, and malicious applications. While it automatically manages most network decisions, there are cases where you may want to manually add a rule—such as allowing a trusted app, blocking a program, or customizing port access.

This guide explains how to add firewall rules in Norton 360 safely and efficiently.

Why Add Firewall Rules?

You may need custom firewall rules when:

• A trusted app or game is blocked by default
• You want to allow specific ports for online gaming or servers
• You need to block certain applications from accessing the internet
• Custom network configurations require program-level control

Norton makes it simple to manage these settings, but you should add rules carefully to avoid security risks.

How to Add Firewall Rules in Norton 360

Follow the steps below to create custom rules for your apps or network configurations.

Step 1: Open Norton 360

• Click the Norton icon in the system tray or desktop.
• Launch the Norton 360 dashboard.

Step 2: Go to Firewall Settings

• On the main screen, click Device Security.
• Select Firewall from the list of options.
• This opens Norton’s Smart Firewall settings.

Step 3: Navigate to the “Program Control” or “Traffic Rules” Tab

Norton provides two main ways to add rules:

Option A: Program Control (Recommended)

• Go to the Program Control tab.
• This section shows all applications that Norton monitors.

Option B: Traffic Rules (Advanced Users)

• Go to the Traffic Rules tab.
• This is where you can define custom port or protocol rules.

How to Add a Program Control Rule

Step 4: Add a New Program Rule

• Click Add or Configure in Program Control.
• Browse to select the program (EXE file) you want to allow or block.

Step 5: Choose an Access Level

Select one of the following:

• Allow – lets the program access the network freely
• Block – denies all inbound/outbound access
• Custom – define specific inbound/outbound rules

Click OK to save the rule.

Tips for Safe Firewall Configuration

• Only allow apps you fully trust.
• Avoid opening unnecessary ports—this creates security risks.
• Backup your firewall settings before making multiple changes.
• Use Traffic Rules only if you're familiar with networking concepts.

Final Thoughts

Adding firewall rules in Norton 360 gives you greater control over how applications and network traffic behave. Whether you're allowing a game, opening a port, or blocking a suspicious program, Norton makes the process straightforward.