Windows 10: UAC security alert about apps accessing public networks

Sometimes I open a program that wants to use the Internet and then get asked about authorisation to access a network and it's always been kind of confusing to me. The public network that the program wants to use is called the Internet, right? Why am I being asked about accessing such public networks as those found within airports and cafes? What program would even be interested in accessing a public LAN? It's the WAN most programs want to use, right? Shouldn't it say "Public networks such as the Internet or those in airports and cafes"?

How does Windows know whether a network I'm connected to is at work or a cafe?





:)

 

Windows firewall security alert. Public networks checked by default?

I upgraded to W10 last week, and I've noticed something regarding the security alert prompt. e.g. this box:



The public network check box is checked by default. Is this intentional? I don't typically allow any programs public network access, and in Window 7/8, the box was unchecked, so I typically just hit OK, but now I have to pause every time this prompt comes up.

How can I change this behavior?

 

Network showing as public

Hi Connor,

By default, the public network location type is assigned to any new networks when they are first connected. A public network is considered to be shared with the world, with no protection between the local computer and any other computer. Therefore,
the Windows Firewall rules associated with the public profile are the most restrictive.

To change settings from public to private, follow the steps below:

• Open the Locale Security Policy.
• In the left pane, click/tap on Network List Manager Policies.
• In the right pane of Network List Manager Policies, double click/tap on your network name
• Click/tap on the Network Location tab.
• Under Location type, select Private.
• Under User permissions, select (dot) User cannot change location.
• Click/tap on OK, and close Local Security Policy.

Note: You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to change the network location of a network adapter.

Let us know if you have other questions.

 

Windows firewall security alert. Public networks checked by default?

I found this pretty hilarious. chris61986 is me. Apparently, I asked this question back in 2015 and forgot about it. I had the same question just now and found my old thread.

The accepted answer didn't even bother to read the original question, which is pretty disappointing. Maybe these folks get a bonus by answering as many questions as possible, regardless of the quality. I don't believe the original question was ambiguous.
(Now to get off my soap box)

Here's the actual cause:

When this dialog comes up, Windows automatically checks the box depending on what kind of network you're connected to. If you're on a "public" network, public will be checked, and the same for "private". My home network was set to "public", so the firewall
prompt assumed I wanted to allow this.

The confusing thing is what determines whether a network is public or private. When you first connect to a network, these is nothing that asks you whether or not this is a public or private network. Public/private is determined by the answer to the question,

Make this PC discoverable

Allow your PC to be discoverable by other PCs and devices on this network. We recommend turning this on for private networks at home or work, but turning it off for public networks to help keep your stuff safe.

To resolve this, you should turn the above feature on in the trusted network. To do this:

• Open start, and search for "Change Wi-Fi settings"
• Click the "Manage known networks" link
• Select the trusted network and click the properties button
• Tick the checkbox for "Make this PC discoverable"

I'd recommend doing this even if you don't necessarily want to. The Windows Firewall appears to be all or nothing, and enabling an application access on a public network seems to enable it on all public networks.