Look here http://www.flexbeta.net/main/articles.php?action=show&id=76

Catweazle

I have to disagree with some of what is said in the article ..Windows firewall is for newbies that don't have a clue..If people had the windows firewall on,even the old one,they probably wouldn't have got some of the viruses that were going around..
I have done the test over at shields up,I'm stealth with just the windows firewall running..Remembering that these magazines get paid to promote firewalls and such,they want the windows firewall to fail..I use Sygate and the windows firewall,I have no problem..Last year I was using Norton and the windows firewall,some how NIS got shutdown,but it's globe still was on my task bar,I wouldn't have even known but hit the globe and it went off the task bar,so in my case windows firewall helped me..I wouldn't just depend on the firewall,but wouldn't shut it off neither..ZA has many problems trying to play nice with anything...Even with Microsoft doing all it can do to help protect us,companies will complain because they don't want to do any work to patch up their product,they would rather condemn another...Just my 2 cents..Without Sygate running...

Hello

it is and still will be the same discussion about desktop firewalls. I agree with you jram that the included Windows FW as it now is (XP with SP1) is for newbies only. IMHO this one isn't worth to be called a fw.

Let me explain why:
This firewall is a "on-click-and-forget" solution, means you can start your XP thinking you're system will be safe. But this is a dangerous and illusionary safety. In the past malware was able to shut it down or tunnek it easily.

Desktop fw like f.e. OutPost, ZA Pro (!), Sygate are much powerful but the user needs special skills to configure such a fw correctely. Most of the presettings which are active after an installation may cover most of the connections, that's something every user should think about. But it does not offer a good security all over.
For special attacks you need a very good knowledge about the TCP/IP protocol, how it works and how you can manipulate it for increasing the security of your used fw.

With the latest SP2, Microsoft has developed its fw dramatical trying to make it safer for the users. If all reports of websites, computer magazines are right this latest solution still keeps lotta open questions about the correct settings.

If someone tries to get a 100-% security stop all such efforts cause such a high security rate can't be guranteed by desktop fw solutions. Using a router or other Linux based solutions are much better, but with using this a user needs knowledge how to configure them.

A 100%-security would look like that:

- no floppy disk- or CD/DVD-drives,
- no connection to the web,
- no software from warez websites or unknown places,
- no more installation of any kind of software

When following that way users can spend their money buying any computers.

Another important thing which is ignored is a so called self-discipline. When being very carefully when emailing, surfing websites (not clicking at all possible buttons), kepping AV scanners up-2-date, installing OS security patches users can do something more to guareantee for the security of their computers.

Disabling a AV scanner, desktop firewall or other security programs to increase the download speed is silly.. I would say stupid. This stupidness is the first step to catch infections.

Regards
B. Udo

I totally agree, I know many people that can use a machine and think they don't even need a firewall or AV program because they are on dial up or it can't happen to them...The bad guys are always going to be around,some spyware is worst than many viruses..Common sense is the way to surf,but many people don't use good judgment..Turning on the windows firewall by default is going to save people a lot of problems,it's not just them ,but us who are helped...A good firewall,a better AV,and some spyware protection is a must or people better just shut down their machines..Nice talking to you :thumb:

We have to remember that the MS firewall is only good for Inbound doesn't cover Outbound. So still recomend a good firewall to go with it.

Grand Dad

Please Help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My fierwalls self-disable!!!!!!!!!

I had the Norton 2005 and it self-disabled, so I thought, Norton got crazy!

Wrong! Unistalled it and with windows firewall is the same, it self-disables.

please help me if you can.

P.S. Norton says I got no virus

Get rid of norton and get a half decent firewall, thats the first step. Whilst MS Firewall is far from the best firewall around, it doesnt nesicarilly need to be used by the computer illiterate. This firewall, is actually half decent. Whilst it is true that it doesnt guard against outbounds, you can set up advanced constraints with it. Now, whilst i wouldnt reccomend this firewall, as i dont with many of the MS products, i wouldnt say that its a sh*t firewall. However, the GUI and "one-click" approch MS seems to be fond of, does mean that its aimed at "newbies", but doesnt mean that it cant be a half decent firewall for those who know what they are doing.

Subby