How to create rules in Outpost

[David]

Automated Method

1. You start a new application that accesses the internet.

2. A 'Create Rule' window will open with three options.
a) Allow all activities for this application
b) Stop all activities for this application
c) Create rules using preset

'Allow all activities for this application' will make it a Trusted Application, effectively allowing all traffic between the internet and the specified application.

'Stop all activities for this application' will make it a Blocked Application, effectively blocking all traffic between the internet and the specified application.

'Create rules using preset' will allow you to choose from one or more predefined rulesets (presets) or custom define a rule by choosing 'Other' in the drop down box to the right of this item. Be advised that if the application is not recognized, 'Other' will be the only option available from the drop down box.

After choosing from one of those three choices in the 'Create Rule' window, press 'OK'.

3. If you have chosen to create a rule using a preset or by defining a custom rule, press 'OK' when you are finished making your preset or rule definition and the application will only communicate using the ruleset that you defined.

NOTE: The VisibleState item in preset.lst will have no effect on rules created using the method outlined above.

Manual Method - Create Blocked Application

1. Open the Outpost GUI and from the menu choose Options -> Applications.

2. Click once (highlight) on 'Blocked Applications' and press the 'Add' button.

3. Browse the directory structure until you locate the application that you wish to block and click 'Open'.

4. The application will now be listed under the 'Blocked Applications' section of the list and will not be able to communicate.

5. In the options screen, press 'Apply' and 'OK'.

Manual Method - Create Trusted Application

1. Open the Outpost GUI and from the menu choose Options -> Applications.

2. Click once (highlight) on 'Trusted Applications' and press the 'Add' button.

3. Browse the directory structure until you locate the application that you wish to trust and click 'Open'.

4. The application will now be listed under the 'Trusted Applications' section of the list and will be able to communicate freely.

5. In the options screen, press 'Apply' and 'OK'.

NOTE: Totally trusted applications are rare. The only times that it may become necessary is with applications enabling certain types of internet connections, like satellite, or possibly file sharing or instant messenger applications. Although, for file sharing or instant messaging applications, it is better to define a ruleset if possible.

NOTE: The VisibleState item in preset.lst will have no effect on rules created using the method outlined above.

Manual Method - Create Partially Allowed Application, Add to or Modify an existing Partially Allowed Application Ruleset

1. Open the Outpost GUI and from the menu choose Options -> Applications.

2. Click once (highlight) on 'Partially Allowed Applications' and press the 'Add' button.

3. Browse the directory structure until you locate the application that you wish to define a ruleset and click 'Open'.

4. The application will now be listed under the 'Partially Allowed Applications' section of the list and you will be presented with a screen similar to the one attached to this post (rules.jpg).

5. At this point, you have two options for creating rules for the application that you have chosen.
a) Click the 'New' button and create a custom rule. Repeat until you have created all of the rules that you desire for that application.
b) Click on 'Preset' and choose one of the presets that appear.

6. When finished creating rules using the one of the two methods outlined in step 5, press 'OK' to close the 'Rules' window for that application.

7. Then press 'Apply' and 'OK' in the 'Options' window to apply the changes.

8. The application will now communicate according to the rules that were defined.

NOTE: If you have chosen to use option b) in step 5, then the VisibleState item in the preset.lst WILL matter. Only items in the preset.lst file with a VisibleState of 1 will appear in that list. Also, if you make a change to preset.lst and change the VisibleState or any other attribute of a preset, you will have to 'Exit' Outpost, 'Exit and Shutdown' Outpost, or reboot your PC before the changes will take effect.