DeniseNY said:
While the problem is solved (for now), it seems rather frustrating to
have to go through so many steps just to send an email. You would
think Microsoft would have configured the firewall in SP2 to
automatically configure itself to permit email programs --
particularly it's own product -- to send and receive messages without
incident.
That, I think, is the exactly wrong thing to do. A firewall's purpose is to
block access in an out of a computer. The user of that computer is best
served by a firewall that allows nothing in or out but that can be adjusted
to suit the user's requirements under the user's strict control.
They should remember that average user is not computer
savvy and is not likely to go messing around with firewall settings.
In this modern day of computing threats, ignorance is not bliss. It
behooves each computer user to educate himself on the possibilities of
compromise. If you can't learn the basics of computer security, you
shouldn't be operating a computer any more than someone who can't learn the
basics of highway safety should ne operating an automobile.
I would agree, however, that the possibility of needing to adjust the
firewall should be more prominently displayed.