High Level Settings

IntelliDefense Tab

IntelliDefense uses threat assessment technology to control incoming and outgoing communication for programs. (More on IntelliDefense.)

IntelliDefense is enabled by default; you can turn the feature on and off from the General tab of the Settings window, by selecting or clearing the Enable IntelliDefense check box.

Note: IntelliDefense applies to the programs that do not have a program policy.

IntelliDefense first checks to see if a program attempting communication is signed by a software publisher you have designated as trusted. You control which publishers are trusted; click Manage Trusted Publishers to open the Manage Trusted Publishers window.
If the program is not signed by a trusted publisher, then IntelliDefense determines which classification the program belongs to. Based on that classification, iolo Personal Firewall takes the associated action that is shown on this tab:

Allow. Allow the communication attempt.
Block. Block the communication attempt.
Prompt. Generate a prompt. (More on how the firewall handles generated prompts.)

To follow is a list of each IntelliDefense classification, with its fixed setting in the High level and a description of its purpose.

Program Classification	Incoming	Outgoing	Program Classification Description
Unknown	Prompt	Prompt	Control access for programs and components that are not in the IntelliDefense database.
System	Prompt	Allow	Control access for core components of the Windows operating system.
Necessary	Prompt	Allow	Control access for safe programs that perform core functionality.
Optional	Prompt	Prompt	Control access for safe programs, or components of such applications, that may be desired but are not required to perform core functionality.
Dangerous	Block	Block	Control access for software that has been identified as malicious and dangerous by iolo's research team.

Trusted Publishers	Allow	Allow	Control automatic access for programs signed by a publisher you have designated as trusted. You control which publishers are trusted; click Manage Trusted Publishers to open the Manage Trusted Publishers window. Software from publishers added to this window will be automatically allowed access.

Note: If you want to change any the default values, instead of High level settings, use Custom level settings and select the IntelliDefense tab.