Forum Home
Press F1
 
Thread ID: 19455 2002-05-15 19:11:00 Firewall - Windows XP Guest (0) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
49055 2002-05-15 19:11:00 Just wondering if anyone can shed light on how good the protection provided with XP's inbuilt firewall is or whether you are better off to use Zone Alarm.
Also if you do run Zone Alarm, should you then disable XP's firewall?

Cheers - Derek
Guest (0)
49056 2002-05-15 20:40:00 Im not an expert on this but I am running XP but prefer to use Zone Alarm as I have had never had a problem with this. Someone told me to disable the XP Firewall if running it but Zonealarm still works when its on or off. I might go turn mine off just in case there is some form of security loophole.

One of the reasons I prefer to use zone alarm is that hackers etc would prefer to attack something Microsoft so I feel safer with something that is not Microsoft! And I know that Zonealarm has had one of the best track records as far as security breaches goes and ITS FREE! XP Firewall does not manage outbound connections such as those spyware things but Zonealarm always pops up if I want so&so program to access the Net... (thats good!)

regards BEnny T
Guest (0)
49057 2002-05-15 20:41:00 You can always test both of the firewalls at grc.com

dont need to download the software just do an online test!

Regars
Benny T
Guest (0)
49058 2002-05-15 22:03:00 We previously used ZoneAlarm before we had XP and now use McAfee's inbuilt Firewall with VirusScan - to me seems more annoying than ZoneAlarm - lot of 'pop-up' warnings etc that don't mean anything.

I prefer ZoneAlarm but flattie prefers McAfee.

XP Firewall seemed too inactive - no warnings etc.

Cheers
Guest (0)
49059 2002-05-15 22:49:00 Derek,

The Windows XP firewall is a very good one, but ONLY for protecting against INBOUND attacks. If you get spyware, or a trojan or something similar on your computer, the Win XP firewall will not stop any unauthorised OUTBOUND communication, defeating the purpose of a good firewall.

I'd suggest Agnitum Outpost as a good free firewall (has less bugs than ZoneAlarm), or if you want to spend a little money, Norton's Personal Firewall is very good, or their Internet Security is even better (but more expensive).

HTH

Mike.
Guest (0)
49060 2002-05-16 08:22:00 'XP Firewall seemed too inactive - no warnings etc'

:-) Heh heh, gotta love it!
Guest (0)
1