Firewalls & OSes

[Frank]

I posted this at a board for XP and was told to use
ZoneAlarm. That's fine and maybe I will, but that response
didn't answer the following question:

I'm moving and losing access to Lynksys firewall router.
My computer is able to boot to either W2K or XP. XP has
built-in firewall, while W2K does not. I have to install a
software firewall to W2K (I assume?). I have a version of
Norton's Personal Firewall I never installed. If I install
that to W2K, do I have a problem (any conflict), or do
firewalls only function when a given system is booted, the
same as different sypware programs? Please help, as the
Symantec handbook says nothing and it's impossible to get
them to respond without a $30 or $40 charge. In other
words, if I'm using the same connection to the net,
regardless of OS, do I need a firewall for each OS?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Oli Restorick [MVP]]

Yes, you will definitely need a firewall for each OS.

ZoneAlarm is good. Windows XP Service Pack 2 has an enhanced firewall, but
you can use whichever firewall you prefer.

You can also use ZoneAlarm on Windows 2000, if you wish. Of course, Windows
2000 doesn't have a built-in firewall, so you have to use a third-party one.

Hope this helps

Oli

 

[Frank]

Yes. Thanks very much. You answered my question exactly.

 

[Steven L Umbach]

When you have dual boot operating systems, the software installed on one operating
system is not going to be protecting the other operating system. As far as the other
operating system is concerned the application is just a bunch of files. When you
install an application on an operating system, entries are made in the registry of
that operating system. Zone Alarm works fine, but it you are going to be using
cable/dsl I suggest you buy your own router which go for around $39 and up. ---
Steve