How do I configure my firewall to work with Connectify Hotspot?

Security software of any kind (antivirus, firewall, combination suites, VPNs, etc.) is specifically designed to disable all kinds of normal functions in Windows. Security software, once installed, is completely in charge of other programs.

If security software stops Connectify Hotspot from working at all, clicking Start hotspot may show this error:

Connectify is not able to function correctly, because another piece of software is blocking Connectify. It is most likely a third party security software. Please remove the software, or have it unblock Connectify to continue.

White Lists

Included in every kind of security software is some kind of a "white list". The white list is a list of trusted programs or other resources. To get Connectify Hotspot and your security software to cooperate, you must get Connectify onto the security software's white list. When you're using Microsoft's own Windows Firewall, Connectify Hotspot adds the rules it needs by itself (you'll find them in a group named "Connectify"). For third-party security software, additional configuration may be required.

Connectify Hotspot Resources

The first thing is to add these programs to any anti-virus or firewall whitelist that you might have available. Check your security software's configuration tools; many have "wizards" designed to guide the user through these setups. Connectify Hotspot 27 only runs on 64-bit Windows, but it is installed in C:\Program Files (x86)\Connectify. The programs are:

• C:\Program Files (x86)\Connectify\Connectify.exe: the Connectify Hotspot window and tray icon
• C:\Program Files (x86)\Connectify\Connectifyd.exe: the service that runs your hotspot and shares your internet
• C:\Program Files (x86)\Connectify\ConnectifyService.exe: starts that service with Windows
• C:\Program Files (x86)\Connectify\ConnectifyNetServices.exe: hands out addresses (DHCP) and looks up website names (DNS) for the devices on your hotspot
• C:\Program Files (x86)\Connectify\ConnectifyGopher.exe: the sign-in, activation and purchase windows

Next, you probably need to open ports in your firewall. A port is like a channel on the network, different applications use different specific channels. Connectify Hotspot uses two kinds of ports, UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), both very common Internet low-level protocols. The ports are used for DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), DNS (Domain Name System) and UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) services.

• ConnectifyNetServices.exe
  • DHCP: 67 (UDP), 68 (UDP)
  • DNS: 53 (UDP and TCP)
  • When the hotspot uses Wi-Fi Direct, which is the default, it uses 2066 (UDP) for DHCP and 2052 (UDP and TCP) for DNS instead of 67 and 53, so open these too.
• Connectifyd.exe
  • UPnP: 1900 (UDP), plus a TCP port it picks each time it starts. UPnP is only used when Settings > Network > Let apps open ports automatically (UPnP) is on.

In addition to the above-named ports, if your firewall software has any settings involving Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), please enable support for these.

If you unblock all of the above ports, Connectify Hotspot itself will be fine, but a firewall may still prevent Connectify Hotspot from routing traffic to and from the Internet. We recommend granting full Internet access, all ports, to Connectifyd.exe in order for Connectify Hotspot to function properly.

Network Filters

If opening the ports doesn't work, check for security filters installed on your network adapters.

You can find this quickly via:

1. In Connectify Hotspot, click Help and account, and next to Network connections, click Open.
2. Right-click on your adapter's device icon, open Properties.
3. Look at the items listed. You'll see things like "Client for Microsoft Networks", "Connectify LightWeight Filter", etc. These are normal. Connectify LightWeight Filter must stay checked: if it isn't, Connectify Hotspot can't start. See Connectify Filter Driver Is Disabled.
4. Anything you see there from the security software company, particularly on your Wi-Fi device, may be interfering with Connectify Hotspot's normal operation. Try unchecking that item and see if your problems continue or not.

VPNs

Connectify gets its IP address from the connection you choose as Internet to share, and then uses NAT to create private IPs for the client devices, which it gives out using DHCP.

Your VPN can be a suspect as well. Some VPNs have an internet kill switch, a feature that makes sure no traffic can go out anywhere but over the VPN. That can block your hotspot's traffic completely. Disconnect from your VPN and make sure the internet works without it. Then choose your real internet connection under Internet to share, and see if Connectify Hotspot works.