SP2 Firewalll

  • Thread starter Thread starter Laurence
  • Start date Start date
L

Laurence

I have installed sp2 on my machine with no problems. Actually it was
simple, I just let my single user computer do it all. It took about 2 hours
or so, but when I re booted, it all worked. My only question concerns the
firewall. I have been using a commercial software program firewall on my
machine and it works fine, has been for quate some time. I checked the
software mfg's web site and they said it was ok with SP2 and it is.
Microsoft says its ok to turn their firewall off and I just did so. I did
run both firwalls for the last two days and there were no problems,
everything works on my system. Can I run both, is there any advantage to
doing it, or should I just shut the MS Firewall off and continue to use my
current one which works great.

Thanks, Laurence
 
To avoid conflicts and error messages, it is recommended
that you only use one firewall. Attempting to use two firewalls
will not accomplish additional protection.

Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall blocks incoming attacks only
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/firewall.htm

Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Firewalls
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/firewall.mspx

Understanding Windows Firewall
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_wfintro.mspx

If using a third-party firewall:

Open your Control Panel, then double-click the Security Center icon.
In the left side, click on the link titled: "Change the way Security Center
alerts me". Next, uncheck the Firewall Alert Setting, then click OK.

Frequently asked questions about Windows Security Center
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;883792&Product=windowsxpsp2

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

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

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

:

| I have installed sp2 on my machine with no problems. Actually it was
| simple, I just let my single user computer do it all. It took about 2 hours
| or so, but when I re booted, it all worked. My only question concerns the
| firewall. I have been using a commercial software program firewall on my
| machine and it works fine, has been for quate some time. I checked the
| software mfg's web site and they said it was ok with SP2 and it is.
| Microsoft says its ok to turn their firewall off and I just did so. I did
| run both firwalls for the last two days and there were no problems,
| everything works on my system. Can I run both, is there any advantage to
| doing it, or should I just shut the MS Firewall off and continue to use my
| current one which works great.
|
| Thanks, Laurence
 
Laurence,
I have always found it best to run only one version of firewall software on
a particular PC. You may run into problems if you need to configure specific
rules to allow access. If the software you are using works fine, go with it.
 
The windows firewall is only blocking unsolicided input.
Anything on the inside can get out by asking and since the WFW knows it is
expecting a response, it will get one.
i.e. Adware / spyware / keystoke recorders.

PORTS? How many output ports actually get blocked by default by a 3rd party
FW?
Not as many as should be.

I run two FW's because my 3rd party FW seems to be comfortable with the WFW.
I put the 3rd party FW in the exception list of the WFW.
I do this because the windows fire wall starts up long before mine is ready
and it's called "Shields UP"

I have my FW very tight. a hand full of ports open. So tight I can't ever
get windows time.

So yes, you need a 3rd party FW that blocks output ports and you need to
close more than the default sets.

Runing with WFW as an exception is dependent on your firewall make, model
and brand.

SJ
 
In
Andre Da Costa said:
Its kinda over kill in some cases especially since the Firewall
in
SP2 is both bi-directional, it checks content coming in and out
Click to expand...


Sorry, that's not true. In that respect the firewall in SP2 is
just like the original. It monitors incoming traffic only.

and I
bet yours does the same, but I don't see it as a problem
running both
since they co-existing.
Click to expand...


My advice is don't run two firewalls. You achieve no extra
protection, you incur the extra overhead of running two
firewalls, and you run the risk (probably small, but not zero) of
conflicts between them.

See links:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=842242
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=875357
Click to expand...


See
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/firewall.mspx

which includes the following:

Q. Should I use both the built-in firewall and a software
firewall from a different company on my Windows XP computer?


A. No. Running multiple software firewalls is unnecessary for
typical home computers, home networking, and small-business
networking scenarios. Using two firewalls on the same connection
could cause issues with connectivity to the Internet or other
unexpected behavior. One firewall, whether it is the Windows XP
Internet Connection Firewall or a different software firewall,
can provide substantial protection for your computer.
 
SlowJet said:
The windows firewall is only blocking unsolicided input.
Anything on the inside can get out by asking and since the WFW knows it is
expecting a response, it will get one.
i.e. Adware / spyware / keystoke recorders.

PORTS? How many output ports actually get blocked by default by a 3rd
party FW?
Not as many as should be.

I run two FW's because my 3rd party FW seems to be comfortable with the
WFW. I put the 3rd party FW in the exception list of the WFW.
I do this because the windows fire wall starts up long before mine is
ready and it's called "Shields UP"

I have my FW very tight. a hand full of ports open. So tight I can't ever
get windows time.

So yes, you need a 3rd party FW that blocks output ports and you need to
close more than the default sets.

Runing with WFW as an exception is dependent on your firewall make, model
and brand.

SJ
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the input folks, the majority go with this post, so I have turned
it off, no change in anything, Black Ice is doing its thing as before, and I
got rid of that anoying red message in by tray.

Laurence
 
Laurence said:
I have installed sp2 on my machine with no problems. Actually it was
simple, I just let my single user computer do it all. It took about 2 hours
or so, but when I re booted, it all worked. My only question concerns the
firewall. I have been using a commercial software program firewall on my
machine and it works fine, has been for quate some time. I checked the
software mfg's web site and they said it was ok with SP2 and it is.
Microsoft says its ok to turn their firewall off and I just did so. I did
run both firwalls for the last two days and there were no problems,
everything works on my system. Can I run both, is there any advantage to
doing it, or should I just shut the MS Firewall off and continue to use my
current one which works great.
Click to expand...

There is no advantage in using both. If your third party one does a
decent job it will be doing rather more than the Windows one, which is
really there so as to ensure a basic level of essential security
 

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