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Thread ID: 52855 2005-01-01 02:05:00 firewalls susievb (4439) Press F1
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309415 2005-01-01 05:54:00 Baldy, it is not Hackers that the firewall is there for, it is the "worms" that exploit a weakness in windows. They spread by looking for other computers on the net, that also exhibit that weakness. A firewall stops them from exploiting your computer. So not only does it save you the hassle of a fixup, but also, because you weren't infected, slows the spread. If everyone had firewalls, then the blaster worm would have been a non-event.

Also, firewalls can alert you to that trojan or spyware that came in with that program you wanted to try out. Still a weakness with the standard Windows version, as stated earlier, doesn't stop outgoing "malware".

So stopping Hackers is not the main aim of domestic type firewalls, just being a good citizen on the Internet. Besides, good insurance that costs nothing. The last test that was carried out with Xp, no ServicePacks, was 16 minutes before being infected ( channels.lockergnome.com tml )
pheonix (36)
309416 2005-01-01 06:11:00 Try Outpost pro. E|im (87)
309417 2005-01-01 06:38:00 I agree - the other day I had to reload WinXP (lost everything after a HD crash). The time it took me D/L Zonealarm (10 mins on dialup) - 2 worms on me PC - next time I'll load it from a disk and just update.

sarel
sarel (2490)
309418 2005-01-01 06:55:00 I hope Baldy is beginning to realise that his belief has little support in this Forum, and also that "rot" is hadly a suitable comment.
Tony
TonyF (246)
309419 2005-01-01 06:59:00 OIC ~ Well luckily I'm not using XP .

Soooooooo, if you're an XP user, is it virtually mandatory to use a firewall? Gawd, the memories of how marvelous XP was ~ or was going to be ~ are still fresh in my mind . If the chances of XP being exploited within 4 minutes of going on the net (as a poster in this thread says) no wonder there are so many who do an animated MS rant frequently . :yuck:
Baldy (26)
309420 2005-01-01 07:01:00 I hope Baldy is beginning to realise that his belief has little support in this Forum, and also that "rot" is hadly a suitable comment.
Tony
So it seems. Well happily,I don't use the easily exploited WinXP ~ lucky me!
Baldy (26)
309421 2005-01-01 08:33:00 So it seems . Well happily,I don't use the easily exploited WinXP ~ lucky me!
Oh, so you didn't actually install Windows XP ( . pcworld . co . nz/showthread . php?t=34875" target="_blank">pressf1 . pcworld . co . nz) in the end?


OIC ~ Well luckily I'm not using XP .

Soooooooo, if you're an XP user, is it virtually mandatory to use a firewall?
That is correct .

Maybe next time you might like to do a bit of research before taking on someone who does actually know the facts .
FoxyMX (5)
309422 2005-01-01 09:16:00 Hoo boy! Maybe next time you might like to do a bit of research before taking on someone who does actually know the facts. Baldy must be reaching for the first aid kit. :cool: Scouse (83)
309423 2005-01-01 09:22:00 I have just got a new pc with XP home ed. I have yet to install the sevice pack 2 but when I do is the firewall that comes on it good enough? or should I also install a free one like zone alarm as well to be safe?

SusieI use WinXP Pro with SP2 installed. At the moment I have a dialup connection to the Internet but have used broadband wireless.

A dialup connection normally means that you will get a new IP address every time you connect and while I used dialup with Xtra for years I never got a worm or trojan with no firewall installed.

I installed Kerio Firewall being free only when I had broadband and before Service pack 2 for XP came out.

Be careful opening Emails even from people you know. Use an Antivirus checker like Norton, AVG, EZTrust etc.

Currently running WinXP Pro SP2 with firewall on. Email through Microsoft Outlook and the ISP is Orcon. I am not running the likes of Zone alarm but have nothing against it.

If you just got this computer then hopefully it should have come with a new version of WinXP WITH SP2 already installed. Firewall is turned on by default.
Elephant (599)
309424 2005-01-01 22:44:00 If you just got this computer then hopefully it should have come with a new version of WinXP WITH SP2 already installed. Firewall is turned on by default.

at worse they could have just stock windows installed (not even drivers installed). also with supermarket pc's they often have customised setups includeing the firewall turned off by default!

the problem of course is with no firewall its eaier for YOU to infect everyone else!
tweak'e (69)
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