WinXPHome Firewall VS Norton Internet Worm Protection?

[Guest]

I recently installed Norton Systemworks Premier 2005 and it came with a
program called Internet Worm Protection. When it installed it said I should
turn off the Windows XP Home Firewall. Now I'm not sure which is better, to
use the Norton Worm Protection (which apparently isn't a real Firewall but
seems to do a few things the Windows XP firewall can't do) or should I
disable the Norton Worm Protection and turn on the WinXP Firewall.

I'd appreciate some thoughts on this subject by folks that are familiar with
the Norton Worm Protection and the WinXP Home Firewall. Which you would run
and why type of answers. Or.... should I disable both and install something
like ZoneAlarm?

Thanks for the help. Mike

 

[Steven L Umbach]

From what I read in the article below Internet Worm Protection works the
same way that the Windows Firewall works in that it blocks unsolicited
inbound IP traffic. Since you are using other features of Norton Systemworks
Premier 2005 I would probably use it and disable the Windows Firewall. If
you have the need to allow other users to access your computer either on
your network or from the internet you may want to use the Windows Firewall
instead unless you can also configure Norton to allow the same. It is up to
you if you want to use Zone Alarm or not. Since you already have a quality
antivirus program and if you keep current with critical security updates at
Windows Updates and have no need to restrict any user to internet access
based on application then I see little value in using something like Zone
Alarm. If you are using a cable/DSL modem I highly recommend that you also
install an internet router/firewall to protect your network. --- Steve

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxpsp2/Default.mspx
--- Protect Your PC tips

 

[Guest]

Thank you Steven, That is exactly what I wanted to know. I'm using a DSL
modem and Linksys BEFSR41 wired DSL/Cable router on a home network that
consists of three computers. I'm pretty sure the router has a built-in
firewall. My computer is running the Norton Worm Protection and the other
two are running the XP Firewall (they have older versions of NSW installed).
Of course NAV is on all three and I also run Adaware on them. I keep all the
windows and security programs updated. There is probably a lot more I could
do but it looks like I have at least the basic amount of protection.

Thank you for your help and the link to the site with the PC security
information. Mike

 

[Steven L Umbach]

Sounds like you are in good shape if you follow the security practices in
that link to Protect Your PC. The Linksys device will act as a basic
firewall to protect your network from inbound attacks. Just be sure to use
strong passwords on your computer and that Norton scans all your email
attachments as that is probably the number one way to get infected and
updates itself daily for virus definitions which should be enabled by
default. --- Steve