Disabling Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)

[Guest]

Hi,

I would like to disable ICMP so that my computer does not respond to pings,
i.e. stays invisible. When I go to the Windows firewall on the Advanced tab
then choosing the settings button under ICMP, I'm UNABLE to remove the check
for "Allow incoming echo request". When I try to unselect it, the check
remains.

Does anyone know how I can disable this feature by removing the check? By
the way, I do have a Linksys router (WRT54GS). Is the router preventing me
from disabling this feature? Any and all help appreciated.

Darrell

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

If you have a router, you're effectively protected there, since the router will respond to the ping packets, not your computer. And most routers have the ability to turn "respond to ping" off, as well.

 

[Steven L Umbach]

The router in no way would interfere with you being able to configure your
Windows Firewall. If you firewall has exceptions that need to allow access
to port 445 TCP for things like file and print sharing then you can not
disable it. Your Linksys router is already protecting your network and
probably does not respond to ping or can be configured not to. --- Steve

 

[Guest]

Thnx Steve and Doug.

I found the setting on the router that was "NOT" blocking anoynomous
internet request or "pings". I changed the setting to block and now my
router does not reply at all...I have acheived stealth status.

On a side note, I still can't remove the check in the Windows Firewall under
ICMP settings for "Allow Incoming echo request".

Darrell