How to Get Instant Messenger to Work With a Firewall

Configure your firewall to work with AOL Instant Messenger.

AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) is an instant messaging service that allows registered members to communicate with one another for free in real-time. The purpose of a firewall is to protect a network of computers from malicious software. A firewall may block AIM due to an untrusted connection. Users must add the AIM program to the list of acceptable programs in the firewall settings. There are many different firewall programs that may be used, including the built-in Windows firewall, McAfee and Norton. The program permission settings are similar across most firewall programs.

Instructions

1. Launch the firewall program on your computer by clicking the "Start" button from the system tray of your desktop, then click "All Programs," browse to your firewall program from the list of applications and click on it to select it.

2. Click the "Change Settings" option from the top menu of the program. Each firewall program displays the program options differently. The firewall settings may be under an option similar to "Internet & Network."

3. Click "Advanced" from the Internet and network settings window.

4. Click "Program Permissions" from the firewall options.

5. Click "Add Allowed Program" from the program permissions.

6. Browse to the AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) program file and click "Open."

7. Click "OK" to add AIM to the list of allowed programs. Your firewall should now allow inbound and outbound communication with Instant Messenger.

References

• Microsoft: How to Configure Windows Firewall on a Single Computer

Resources

• AIM: Report a Problem