Shutting down a firewall??

[DBF]

Here is a quote from one of the MVPs in attempting to help a user with a
download issue:
"Shut DL accelerators, *firewalls* and antivirus programs off while
downloading or installing drivers and
updates."
I assume you are already anticipating my question: Doesn't shutting down the
firewall leave a computer open to attack? After reading posts here and other
places, I was under the impression that even a few seconds without
protection can allow an attack. This would seem to be even more true for
those of us poor saps who use dial-up modems which can take several hours to
download some things.
Thanks in advance for your answer.
Dave

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

It really depends on the type of firewall or antivirus program that you are
running. Some programs will interfere with the performance of the
Windows Update website....others will not. I'm running Norton Internet
Security and have never had to disable it in order for the Windows Update
website to work properly.

I would suggest leaving your firewall enabled, or use XP's built-in
firewall program, when visiting the Windows Update website. And if your
antivirus program interferes with the downloading and installation of updates,
you can disable it as long as you remain at the Windows Update website.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


| Here is a quote from one of the MVPs in attempting to help a user with a
| download issue:
| "Shut DL accelerators, *firewalls* and antivirus programs off while
| downloading or installing drivers and
| updates."
| I assume you are already anticipating my question: Doesn't shutting down the
| firewall leave a computer open to attack? After reading posts here and other
| places, I was under the impression that even a few seconds without
| protection can allow an attack. This would seem to be even more true for
| those of us poor saps who use dial-up modems which can take several hours to
| download some things.
| Thanks in advance for your answer.
| Dave

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

I'd have to say that advising anyone connecting to the Internet
for _any_ reason to "turn off" firewalls and anti-virus software is an
extremely irresponsible thing to do. (So-called download
"accelerators" are generally useless anyway, so disabling them is
always a good idea.)

You're quite correct. Disabling the firewall and antivirus
protection does leave the PC vulnerable. It takes only a few seconds
of exposure to cause damage.

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

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

There are times when it may be advisable to disable the firewall, but
it should be done with careful consideration and with the full
knowledge of the ramifications.
You are correct, it only takes a few seconds, if that to get to an
unprotected computer.

Often a better solution is to enable ICF first and disable 3rd party
firewall.