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Thread ID: 28369 2002-12-17 20:11:00 Win XP internet security/firewalls Susan B (19) Press F1
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106937 2002-12-17 20:11:00 I just gave The Beast a Shields Up (grc.com) firewall test at Steve Gibson's site expecting to pass with flying colours like I've always done with my Outpost firewall. However, I got quite a shock to discover that the Win XP "Universal Plug and Play" feature has a hole in it.

It surprised me to fail this test because I thought the SP1 fixed this sort of thing but maybe it's something different? Anyway, I downloaded and installed the utility that turns the feature off and The Beast now passes all tests with flying colours.

Just thought others might like to know about the security risk. :-)
Susan B (19)
106938 2002-12-18 06:59:00 Hi there
Did as you suggested and got the same result even though I'm using the free Sygate fire wall instead of the XP one.

Cheers
CraigB
Craigb (688)
106939 2002-12-18 07:51:00 Did you install and run the utility that turns off the plug and play thing? I did and passed the test then. Susan B (19)
106940 2002-12-18 07:56:00 Hi there
I've downloaded it, but I haven't installed it yet. I've been doing some looking round to see what else it will do if I do install it eg will I have to reactivate the UPnP when I want to do some P2P or (if I ever get around to it) play games on line. I'm still comfused, can anyone help.

Cheers
Craig.
Craigb (688)
106941 2002-12-18 08:15:00 as far as i know NOTHING uses Upnp yet. disable it. tweak'e (174)
106942 2002-12-18 08:17:00 cheers for that will do. Craigb (688)
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