What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Window's XP firewall over commercially available products?
80708
The advantage is it's free.\n\nThe disadvantage is that is very unsophisticated and gives you very little control as what to allow in or out.\n\nZone Alarm is a much better choice.
112855
Definitely don't use two firewall programs.  They can conflict with each other and prevent networking/internet access altogether.  Windows fire wall is not good ao it is surely the one to turn off.  If you want to test your fire wall you can go to www.grc.com and run the Shields Up program to check your open ports or download the Leak Test program to see if your firewall catches it.
201003
There is a saying that goes "prevention is better than cure". A firewall in layman terms is essentially a program wich filters network data to decide whether or not to forward them to their destination or to deny it. Well, getting to the point there are good free firewalls, such as:\n-sygate\n-zone alarm\n-xp\nsome other are also very good but are not for free, but you can make the download with emule:\n-Black Ice defender\n-Lockdown 2000\nok?
981031
ok...i will answer your question....first off....lets start with the firewall\nif u are using windows xp sp2...it has a built in firewall...it blocks all incoming traffic...but no outgoing....so it is not a very good firewall...if u are computer savvy..u can set it up to block most anything\nso the thing to do is either go here or here and download one of these free firewalls,,zone alarm is rated on of the very best for years now....and comodo is a very effective firewalll that has passed all test\nhttp://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/\nhttp://www.download.com/3000-2092-10039884.html\n\nok now for windows defender......as stated above ...windows defender IS NOT A FIREWALL,,the guy who said that is wrong...windows defender is a spyware program....yes there are a few that are better the defender......\n\nhttp://free.grisoft.com/doc/20/lng/us/tpl/v5\nhttp://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html\nhere are 2 that are better then windows defender\ni guess i will give u a few antivirus programs also\nhttp://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp?\nhttp://www.avast.com/eng/avast-virus-cleaner.html\nhttp://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5\nok those are 3 free antiviruses...\ndo not use more then one firewall...1 antivirus...u can use 2 or 3 spyware programs\none last thing now......if u are looking for the very best\nget kaspersky internet security suite\nor bitdefnder v.10\ngood luck
310279
There is very little difference in xp home and xp pro if you have sp2 installed...xp pro does offer a little more about networking
1157582
Don't buy either of those products made for the public - they're absolutely horrible.  Ironically enough though, the Symantec Client Firewall and AntiVirus for network applications (v10)  is wonderful. It has an option in the setup to update automatically (instead of from an network server) is unobtrusive, takes very little space or speed, and has worked seemlessly for me for a year now.
15331
Depends.  Norton is probably the best but is a resource hog.  If you have an older machine it will slow you down.  McAfee has been known to cause problems with some machines but is good at finding viruses.  Today all the major software companies share their virus detection so there really isn't too much difference. \nIf you want a free one AVG from Grisoft is the best free one.  Download link here:\nhttp://www.grisoft.com/doc/40/lng/ww \n\nCheck your ISP.  Some have cut a deal with a company and offer you a free download.  Optonline, for example offers free Etrust from Computer Associates.\n\nWhatever you do don't venture out into the internet naked especially if you have a broadband connection.  Get something.  An anti virus, if you are on broadband, a firewall such as Zonealarm available here:\nhttp://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp\nor Outpost. and at least two anti spyware applications such as Adaware, spybot or microsoft.  All are free.  The firewall in SP-2 for XP is not sufficient.
313208
Yes.  Having two firewall applications will cause conflicts, and will not protect your PC as well as having one program.
869528
That's simple.  It does more.  Windows XP with SP2 has a firewall which also slows things down.  \n\nWatch out, Windows Vista will be much slower.  Again, it does more. \n\nI prefer to pick my own anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall solutions.  I uninstall ALL messenger thing that I do not use.  I minimize the Startup programs.   \n\nGood luck
118618
I agree with the Smoothwall suggestion. I've used a number of them, and Smoothwall is my favorite. However, I have also used IPCop (which is based on Smoothwall) and Monowall. These are very good, too. You can't go wrong with any of these three.\n\nAnother option, if you want to try out some different things, is to use one of the Live Linux CD distros that are specifically designed to be used as firewalls. (Link below) Download the live distro of your choice, burn it to a CD, and then boot off of that CD, and you get to use the distribution without actually having to install anything. This is great for testing and experimenting. For production use, though, you're probably better off installing rather than running off of a CD.
409957
Don't bother. There are plenty of free anti-virus software packages available out there - if for NON-commercial use.\n\nTry visiting www.grisoft.com and download the AVG Free edition. \n\nAlso - Zonealarm has a good free firewall - again for non-commercial use. www.zonealarm.com\n\nadaware and spybot search and destroy aren't bad for additional protection also.
153419
Im Not really going to do in to detail,but this is all the basic stuff you need\nAnti-Virus:\nhttp://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5\nFirewall:\nhttp://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp?dc=12bms&ctry=US&lang=en&lid=nav_za\n\nNOTE: If you already have Windows XP With Service Pack 2. It should already have a windows firewall!\n\nAnti-Spyware:\nhttp://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx\n\nThats All the basic stuff you need
14807
If you don't want to download and install a new firewall, I would go with the one that comes with SP2.\n\nIf you do, there are many options:\n\nZoneAlarm is very popular, but it slows down old computers.\n\nWindows OneCare Live beta is very new, and includes  virus protection as well as automated backup. However, it is a beta and might have bugs.\n\nKerio firewall is pretty good, I can't think of any cons.\n\nOutpost is supposed to be ok as well.
626075
what kind and who's firewall is it? If your talking about xp's ,that is useless and not very good, but it should up date when needed automatically. My recommendation is to get zone alarm. It's free and a great firewall.  want to learn more?? visit www.komando.com  go to her tips page and click browse all tips, then security. it's the best out there and why pay when you don't have to.  also make sure you turn xp's firewall off when you install zone alarm.2 firewalls cause conflict with computers.
787842
If you have a genuine copy of XP then allow WGA access in your firewall configuration.\n\nIf it's an illegal copy of XP, then you can't, you will have to purchase a legal copy as Microsoft know it's not legal, and will shut your OS down shortly.
1109610
Kerio or ZoneAlarm.  Don't run two firewalls on top of each other, however, as this creates problems.  Windows Firewall is crap.
772998
go to control panel windows firewall and disable it