Firewall -

[David Sherman]

By default, the firewall rules allow for all outbound and denies all
inbound activity.

Isn't the free version of Zone Alarm still better?

 

[Jane Colman]

That certainly sounds like something that needs addressing. I thought that
the Firewall in Vista was supposed to be 2-way.
By default, ZoneAlarm denies everything until you give express permission.

 

[Andre Da Costa [Extended64]]

My understanding is it still does not support controlling outbound traffic,
that is available in the Microsoft Advanced Security Configuration MMC. Its
difficult to use, so I would recommend using a third party solution such as
Zone Alarm, BlackIce or Tiny.
--
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Andre
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[Malke]

My understanding is it still does not support controlling outbound
traffic, that is available in the Microsoft Advanced Security
Configuration MMC. Its difficult to use, so I would recommend using a
third party solution such as Zone Alarm, BlackIce or Tiny.

Yeah, for home users I think that they should stick to third-party
firewalls like ZA or Kerio if they want a more full-featured firewall.
Because my build is the ultimate edition, I've got the WF Advanced. I
looked at it briefly and it is definitely a geekfest. My guess is they
won't be including it in the editions aimed at home users, but of
course I don't know that for certain. I *do* know for certain that very
few home end users would be able to do anything with it except screw up
their systems.

Malke

 

[Andre Da Costa [Extended64]]

Agreed, setting it up too is not a breeze, you have to add it as snap in and
configure it in detail to get it working properly. Its not for faint of
heart.
--
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Andre
Windows Connected | http://www.windowsconnected.com
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Blog | http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre
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[Zack Whittaker]

To be honest, the only reason I use the Windows Firewall even on my XP
machines, is just to stop attacks from the Blaster worm which hits the
svchost.exe every time.

--
Zack Whittaker
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» This mailing is provided "as is" with no warranties, and confers no
rights. All opinions expressed are those of myself unless stated so, and not
of my employer, best friend, Ghandi, my mother or my cat. Glad we cleared
that up!

--: Original message follows :--

 

[Malke]

To be honest, the only reason I use the Windows Firewall even on my XP
machines, is just to stop attacks from the Blaster worm which hits the
svchost.exe every time.

Well, I do use the Windows Firewall on the XP boxen and it is fine. I
used to have Sygate personal on there but it got strange. The key is to
have educated users and my users (my sons!) are very educated as to how
to use Windows safely and as to what will happen to them if they do
not. ;-)

Malke