Firewall and SP2

  • Thread starter Thread starter Carl
  • Start date Start date
Greetings --

1) By using the Security Center applet in the Control Panel.

2) By using the Windows Firewall applet in the Control Panel.

3) By clicking Start > Network Connections > Right-click the
connection > Properties > Advanced > Windows Firewall - Settings


Bruce Chambers

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You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH
 
Supposedly this is 'enabled ' by default. How is it
disabled?

This concerns me, because if I enable it now, I cannot get to my other
network shares here at home (we have 4 computers - mine, husband's, laptop
wireless, and file server/upstairs bedroom machine). I don't know why
either.

The networking on XP is puzzling. My husband and I will go thru again and
again sharing our folders, they will work for awhile and then the next time
we go to access them, it will tell us we do not have access. He runs
ZoneAlarm, I do not, since we also have a router and I see no need to run a
personal firewall if I have a router. Am I correct?
 
I would like to see the whole post before commenting but it's not a perfect
world so what the hay!

I will just comment on your router comment. In theory you are correct. the
only device the outside world can see on your network is your router. This
does allow you to enjoy some extra security as opposed ot if your one
computer was directly connected to the internet. However, the router will
allow any requested traffic through. For example, if you somehow had a
trojan virus on your computer you could still be vulnerable. If you went
to a malicious website that took advantage of a flaw in windows you could be
vulnerable. There is still a strong case for a firewall even behind a
router. Some linksys routers will integrate with ZoneAlarm and protect your
entire network. The thing with a firewall, or any other security software,
is that it takes some time to learn and tweak it to be just right. If you
have the time (or money to pay someone) you will be bale to find a happy
medium where you have security and useability at acceptable levels. I hope
this answered your question.

"it's not a solution until IT works for you!"

Tom
 
Greetings --

msmarti said:
This concerns me, because if I enable it now, I cannot get to my
other
network shares here at home (we have 4 computers - mine, husband's,
laptop
wireless, and file server/upstairs bedroom machine). I don't know
why
either.

WinXP's built-in firewall is not designed to be used on internal
LAN connections. The _only_ connection on which you should have ICF
enabled is the direct connection to the Internet.

Internet Firewalls Can Prevent Browsing and File Sharing
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;298804

This matter is addressed in Service Pack 2. WinXP's redesigned
built-in firewall will allow exceptions for File & Print Sharing.
The networking on XP is puzzling. My husband and I will go thru
again and
again sharing our folders, they will work for awhile and then the
next time
we go to access them, it will tell us we do not have access. He runs
ZoneAlarm, I do not, since we also have a router and I see no need
to run a
personal firewall if I have a router. Am I correct?

No, not really.

Like WinXP's built-in firewall, NAT-capable routers do nothing to
protect the user from him/herself. Again -- and I _cannot_ emphasize
this enough -- almost all spyware and many Trojans and worms are
downloaded and installed deliberately (albeit unknowingly) by the
user. So a software firewall, such as Sygate or ZoneAlarm, that can
detect and warn the user of unauthorized out-going traffic is an
important element of protecting one's privacy and security. Most
antivirus applications do not scan for or protect you from
adware/spyware, because, after all, you've installed them yourself, so
you must want them there, right?


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:




You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH
 
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