IPSec Policies

Secure Internet Protocol provides application-transparent encryption services for IP network traffic. It is described in detail on the IETF website as their site search will show and the Microsoft site yields some very good pages with their "Step-by-Step Guide to Internet Protocol Security (IPSec)". Wikipedia summarizes IPSec well too, but put quite simply, you can use IPSec as a stateless firewall for point-to-point packet traffic security. This page is intended to provide you with a ready alternative if you have firewall problems or if you would just like to deploy an additional layer of security for Windows 2000, XP or Server implementations. If you run a Server, you probably already know how to use IPSec but we'll show how it can be utilized with Windows 2000 and XP workstations if you're not familiar with it for standalone computers or machines on a LAN, whether you use TreeWalk DNS or not. The IPSec Policy we provide as a download can even be employed temporarily for a new Windows installation, but you'll probably like it so much that you'll leave it in place!

Where can I get this "policy" package? You can download IpSecFilter.zip (including a basic readme.txt file) from this site. Need more info? We'll provide graphics and outline the simple steps to install IPSec on your Windows 2000 or XP computer next or you can review the many Windows IPSec topics on the Microsoft site. (NOTE: not all windows will be shown so in some cases you may need to apply the appropriate "Okay", "Apply" or "Close" buttons to proceed to the next step.)

Remember: If you already use IPSec and you want to try the download offered from this site, you should export your current policy filters to a safe place first.

Windows XP SP2 and IPSec

The Windows XP IPSec page will require additional loading time. These Windows XP IPSec Instructions are also available in PDF (.pdf) format. (If you don't have a reader for the Portable Document Format try a Google PDF Reader search.)
Download compressed files in .zip format:
Windows XP IPSec PDF Instructions.
Windows XP IPSec Text Instructions.

Windows 2000 SP4 and IPSec

The Windows 2000 IPSec page will require additional loading time. You may also view the Windows 2000 IPSec Instructions in PDF (.pdf) format.
Download compressed files in .zip format:
Windows 2000 IPSec PDF Instructions.
Windows 2000 IPSec Text Instructions.

How To Create IPSec Rules

The TreeWalk DNS - IPSec Rules page demonstrates one way to edit or create filters and their rule components by examining a sample filter not included with our "IpSecFilter.zip" download.