web page access

  • Thread starter Thread starter walkersNC
  • Start date Start date
W

walkersNC

My internet access has crawled to a stop. I have XP
firewall, cable modem firewall, Norton security, spam
inspector. All of these worked together just fine until
two days ago, when suddenly everything slowed to a stop.
Disabling Norton helped for one day. Today it doesn't
make a difference. Disabling Spam Inspector makes no
difference. Please help me figure out what to do that
will not compromise security. Thanks so much.
 
Should I disable the XP firewall and the server
(roadrunner) firewall? If I should have only one, which
should it be? Thanks for your help.
 
I don't have RoadRunner service so I can't advise you about their firewall.

Like many other things, the 'best' firewall is a matter of opinion.
Fortunately, there are many good choices.

Like all other firewalls, XP's firewall 'stealths' your computer's ports. In
plain English, that means that to the miscreants on the Internet, there is
no computer at your Internet address. No one to attack.

Third party firewalls have an additional capability: They can control which
programs on your computer will be allowed to access the Internet. This
provides additional protection if malware manages to sneak its way onto your
computer. At least it won't be able to access the Internet while you're
figuring out how to get rid of it.

Of course, competition being what it is, third party firewalls often include
other capabilities, like ad blocking or cookie management.

Norton Internet Security includes the Norton Personal Firewall, which has
been favorably reviewed by the computer press. I don't like it, but that's
just me. I use Zone Alarm Pro. In my opinion, you should stick with NIS,
since XP's firewall is not designed to control what programs access the
Internet.

When you use more than one software firewall, they can end up fighting with
each other for control of your computer. It won't stop your computer from
working, but it can weaken your security.

Rocky
 
Thanks for the advice. I'll follow it.
-----Original Message-----
I don't have RoadRunner service so I can't advise you about their firewall.

Like many other things, the 'best' firewall is a matter of opinion.
Fortunately, there are many good choices.

Like all other firewalls, XP's firewall 'stealths' your computer's ports. In
plain English, that means that to the miscreants on the Internet, there is
no computer at your Internet address. No one to attack.

Third party firewalls have an additional capability: They can control which
programs on your computer will be allowed to access the Internet. This
provides additional protection if malware manages to sneak its way onto your
computer. At least it won't be able to access the Internet while you're
figuring out how to get rid of it.

Of course, competition being what it is, third party firewalls often include
other capabilities, like ad blocking or cookie management.

Norton Internet Security includes the Norton Personal Firewall, which has
been favorably reviewed by the computer press. I don't like it, but that's
just me. I use Zone Alarm Pro. In my opinion, you should stick with NIS,
since XP's firewall is not designed to control what programs access the
Internet.

When you use more than one software firewall, they can end up fighting with
each other for control of your computer. It won't stop your computer from
working, but it can weaken your security.

Rocky




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Click to expand...
 
OK, now I just have the NIS running. But the problem is
still there. It takes minutes to bring up one page!
This all started after I did a "live update," but
Symantec will not help me, because my program is two
years old, even though I purchased a subscription for
updating. SO FRUSTRATING!!!!!!!!! Do you have any
suggestions for finding the problem? Thanks again. D.
 
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