How to Create Firewall and Security Settings for QuickBooks Desktop

QuickBooks Desktop is an essential tool of use for most businesses and provides full features of financial management. However, these mounting cybersecurity threats necessitate the need to secure your QuickBooks setup more than ever. One crucial step toward protecting the financial data of your firm is the configuration of your firewall and security settings. This blog will walk you through that how you can configure firewall settings for QuickBooks to set up multi-users in QuickBooks step by step.

Understanding Why You Need Firewall Settings

Firewalls would sit between your computer and the threats from the internet. They can monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic and can block malicious activity. Properly configuring your firewall will ensure that the QuickBooks Desktop application is allowed to communicate with the services it needs but keeps unauthorized access away.

Step 1: Prepare Your System

Before jumping into the world of firewall settings, ensure QuickBooks Desktop is up-to-date. Updates often contain security patches that will protect your system from other possible threats.

Find Updates:

●       Firstly, Open QuickBooks Desktop

●       Then Click on Help Button

●       Update QuickBooks Desktop

●       Apply any updates available to you

Backup Your Company File:

●       Always backup data before doing large changes

●       Go to File > Back Up Company > Create Local Backup.

●       Saving the backup safely requires you to follow the instructions given below.

Step 2: QuickBooks Ports

QuickBooks employs some specific ports, and you will have to allow them via your firewall. QuickBooks may use the following common ports,

●       Port 8019: QuickBooks Database Server Manager

●       Port 56727: For QuickBooks application

●       Port 55355-55357: For extra functionalities

Notice these ports because you will need them in the subsequent steps.

Step 3: Windows Firewall Setup

3.1. Windows Firewall Settings Open

Access the Control Panel:

●       Click on the Start menu

●       Type Control Panel and press Enter

Access Firewall Settings:

●       Click on System and Security

●       Click Windows Defender Firewall

3.2. Allowing QuickBooks Through the Firewall

Allow an App or Feature:

●       From the left, click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.

●       Next, click on the Change settings button. You may require administrator rights.

Add QuickBooks:

●       Click Allow another app.

●       Open the installation directory for QuickBooks (typically C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks <version>\).

●       Highlight QBW32.EXE (the main QuickBooks executable).

●       Add. Both Private and Public boxes should be checked at this point.

3.3. Opening Particular Ports

Advanced Settings:

●       Open Windows Defender Firewall again. From left hand menu, click Advanced settings

Inbound Rules:

●       Highlight Inbound Rules, then click New Rule. on the right side.

●       Select Port, and click Next.

●       Select TCP and enter port numbers (8019, 56727, 55355-55357) in the field labeled specific local ports. If you have more than one port, separate with commas

●       Click Next, Allow the connection, and then click Next.

●       Choose your time to when the rule should take effect : Domain, Private, Public and Next

●       Naming your rule that you would give it a name such as QuickBooks Ports and Done

Outbound Rules:

●       Follow the same instructions for the Outbound Rules

Step 4: Third Party Configuration

If you have another, third-party firewall (such as Norton, McAfee, or several others), you will need to do these settings there also. Generally speaking, though, these tend to work in pretty much the same way:

●       Other Firewalls

●       Open Your Firewall Software.

●       Locate Application Settings or Network Protection.

●       You're going to allow applications through the firewall.

●       QuickBooks and allow them to use the appropriate ports - 8019, 56727, and 55355-55357.

●       Save your changes.

For more detailed instructions you should refer to the documentation for your specific firewall software.

Step 5: Adjusting QuickBooks Security Settings

QuickBooks also offers you security settings that you can turn on:

●       Open QuickBooks Desktop.

●       Go to Edit > Preferences.

●       From the left menu choose Security

●       Turn on Require password to log in and input a good password

●       Set permissions for other users under the User List

Step 6: Testing Your Setup

In conclusion, with a configured firewall and security settings, now test everything:

●       Open QuickBooks and ensure it connects appropriately with your company file without any problems.

●       Check for error messages Firewall setting errors

●       If there is something wrong, then return to the settings of the firewall and confirm that any changes that have been made were actually committed.

Conclusion

Securing your QuickBooks Desktop firewall and security settings is very important to the protection of your business's financial data. And here's exactly how you can fortify the defenses against those lurking threats while still allowing QuickBooks to operate smoothly: Always update your software, however, if that isn’t the case, all you need to do is to get on a call with our QuickBooks technical support professionals using the support line. Our customer executives will be more than interested in answering your queries associated with this accounting software.