Forum Home
Press F1
 
Thread ID: 38993 2003-10-24 03:28:00 Built in Firewall Ladybug (3129) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
186173 2003-10-24 03:28:00 Hi - We have Windows XP home and at the moment Nortons Firewall but this is about to expire.

I know there is a built in firewall for my machine but I want to know how effective this is and is it just as good using this as anything else, also is this anything special I need to do if I use it - like the updates etc????

Please give me your comments.

Thanks Bug :)
Ladybug (3129)
186174 2003-10-24 03:41:00 XP's built in firewall only works one way - it doesn't monitor traffic leaving your computer. Having a firewall that works both ways, is a good way to keep a check on what is dialing out of your PC and it is an early warning that you have nasties (worms/trojans etc) onboard as they get nabbed when trying to gain internet access.

Free firewalls that you might want to consider instead include Agnitum Outpost, ZoneAlarm and Keiro (although not as easy to setup as the others).
Jen C (20)
186175 2003-10-24 03:41:00 Are you talking about window XP firewall, if so i give it a 1 out of 10. Thats 1 for trying.:p

i give noton firewall 8 out of 10 becaue i have the new mcafee firewall plus witch i like best.:D
BootyLicious (526)
186176 2003-10-25 01:00:00 Ok thanks for your replys. I think Zonealarm may be the way I go. Just wondering how long can you use these free versions for and updates do they happen automactically or do you have to check manually?

Also can I have the windows xp one on at the same time as the free one??
Ladybug (3129)
186177 2003-10-25 01:19:00 Zone Alarm has been free for 2 years that I have had it. It doesn't do networking too well but their pay version does, so they get their $ that way I guess.
Not recommended running 2 "software" firewalls at the same time. There is the possibilty that they may conflict and allow something past, or stop working.
There are also "hardware" firewalls which the software is "flashed" into a chip, so can't be changed in normal running. You can use the hardware firewalls with "software" firewalls at the same time. Only problem is , these hardware firewalls are so damned expensive and used for commercial purposes.
Hope this helps in your understanding.
Pheonix (280)
186178 2003-10-25 01:22:00 Hi Ladybug

I am not sure how ZoneAlarm notifies users on available updates - someone who uses this program can help there.

Regarding the Outpost Firewall and the XP compatibility comment you mentioned last night, this is only if you are running ICS (Internet connection sharing) on XP. Do you have two PC's networked and sharing the one internet connection via a gateway? If not, then Outpost (www.agnitum.com) will run on XP:
Outpost System Requirements
- Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP

I used to use Outpost and liked its built in pop-up ad blocking function.
Jen C (20)
186179 2003-10-25 01:26:00 > Not recommended running 2 "software" firewalls at the
> same time. There is the possibilty that they may
> conflict and allow something past, or stop working.

But it can be done successfully :)
stu140103 (137)
186180 2003-10-25 01:29:00 Outpost is good but I like Kerio (www.kerio.com) better now. It will have a pop up stopper in the new version out in November. Go to the downloads section if you want it.

Cheers Murray P
Murray P (44)
186181 2003-10-25 01:29:00 > I am not sure how ZoneAlarm notifies users on
> available updates - someone who uses this program can
> help there.

I think it pop ups (I cannot remember, I need to check) & lets you know there is an update, or you can check as well :)
stu140103 (137)
186182 2003-10-25 01:44:00 Norton firewall does not expire, only the update service, which you could live without as it is only the intruder signatures, trusted web sites etc. that are updated and they can all be edited manualy if needed.

In fact many of them only serve as "informational" and issue security alerts to let you know that it has blocked an attempt, which it will do without the need to alert you anyway.

In fact I have removed all the intruder detection rules which has increased the through put of the firewall.
ugh1 (4204)
1 2 3 4