SP2 Security Center

[JamesJ]

I just downloaded and installed SP2 and was wondering how well
the Security Center functions. If it functions well there's no for me
reason to keep my third party firewall and anti-virus.

Any help will be appreciated,
James

 

[Sooner Al]

SP2 does *NOT* include anti-virus protection. Keep your current anti-virus program for that.

If your currently running a third-party firewall, like ZoneAlarm, and its working well for you, then
continue to use it. The SP2 firewall is a basic firewall provided for people that have nothing right
now.

From the FAQ...

Q. Should I use a non-Microsoft personal firewall instead of the built-in Internet Connection
Firewall?

A. If you already have a non-Microsoft firewall on your computer, you should continue to use it. If
you do not have a firewall, then you have a choice. If you want a simple firewall that is very easy
to configure, then you should use the Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall. If you want more
advanced control over the traffic that passes through your computer and you also want to block
outgoing traffic (that is the traffic from your computer out to the Internet) then choose a personal
firewall from another company.

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

If the third-party firewall is not recognized by the Security Center you can also turn off alerts...

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_disablefwalerts.mspx

--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights...

 

[JamesJ]

Thanks much,
James

SP2 does *NOT* include anti-virus protection. Keep your current anti-virus
program for that.

If your currently running a third-party firewall, like ZoneAlarm, and its
working well for you, then continue to use it. The SP2 firewall is a basic
firewall provided for people that have nothing right now.

From the FAQ...

Q. Should I use a non-Microsoft personal firewall instead of the built-in
Internet Connection
Firewall?

A. If you already have a non-Microsoft firewall on your computer, you
should continue to use it. If
you do not have a firewall, then you have a choice. If you want a simple
firewall that is very easy
to configure, then you should use the Windows XP Internet Connection
Firewall. If you want more
advanced control over the traffic that passes through your computer and
you also want to block
outgoing traffic (that is the traffic from your computer out to the
Internet) then choose a personal
firewall from another company.

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

If the third-party firewall is not recognized by the Security Center you
can also turn off alerts...

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_disablefwalerts.mspx

--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the mutual
benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...