Firewall

  • Thread starter Thread starter Grace
  • Start date Start date
G

Grace

Sorry to be so dense but:

I have three computers (2XP, 1 ME) and a router. Lately, the two other
computers are having trouble accessing the printer connected to the first
one. It seems like the problem goes away when I disable the Internet
Connection Firewall which may have been enabled recently, just before this
printer access problem started. Or not! Unfortunately, my child has been
messing with things a bit because they were having trouble connecting in
Limewire. I don't know if such programs insist that others can share your
files and that is why someone was checking firewalls and then, for safety,
decided they should be enabled. Can anyone straighten me out on this?

Bottom line, should I have the Internet Connection Firewall enabled on all 3
computers? If so, is it likely to cause these kinds of problems sharing
printers and files? Actually, should the router have its own firewall and,
if so, is that where the firewallling should be anyway?

I'm so confused!

Thanks,
Grace
 
I should be more precise, *ICS* software router, which is complemented by
the ICF firewall.

Jim
 
I don't know what a software router is but I don't think it's that. It is a
gray box (D-link DI 704P) sitting on my wall, so I assume that it is a
hardware router!

G
 
You can disable the Windows Firewall protection as the the router will
provide a sufficient firewall.
 
Greetings --

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 Windows Firewall will allow exceptions for File & Print
Sharing.


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
 
Greetings --

That isn't necessarily true, particularly if there are children
using one or more of the computers.

Like WinXP's built-in firewall, NAT-capable routers do nothing to
protect the uninformed 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
 
This all sounds very helpful but I am still a bit confused. I think you are
saying that the firewall should be installed on the router. Do you mean a
software firewall? Regardless, how would I do this? Is it likely to be set
that way from the factory, as a default?

You provide a link that suggests some way to open up ports on the computer,
but I think you've already said I shouldn't enable the firewall there
anyway. If so, why are you sending me that link?

Also, you go on to say that SP2 now allows me to set a firewall and still
share printers and files. Does that mean I should, after all, enable ICF?
Is it addressed in the article that you link to? if not, how do I found out
about that?

Thanks much,
G
 
Grace said:
This all sounds very helpful but I am still a bit confused. I think you
are
saying that the firewall should be installed on the router. Do you mean a
software firewall? Regardless, how would I do this? Is it likely to be
set
that way from the factory, as a default?
Click to expand...

Most routers have a built in firewall. You do not have to install one. If
you want a software firewall you can get the free version of Zone Alarm.
You provide a link that suggests some way to open up ports on the
computer,
but I think you've already said I shouldn't enable the firewall there
anyway. If so, why are you sending me that link?
Click to expand...

The ICF should not be enabled because it will prevent the computers on the
LAN from sharing files and printers.
Also, you go on to say that SP2 now allows me to set a firewall and still
share printers and files. Does that mean I should, after all, enable ICF?
Is it addressed in the article that you link to? if not, how do I found
out
about that?
Click to expand...

SP2 is in beta right now and not available for download except for testers.
 
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