Anyways, i would like to ask opinions regarding Windows Firewall.

How good is it actually? Do i need other firewall other than this?

Its for newbie to use only... not recommended for advance users

Define newbie and advanced users

To me it is not customisable to any degree.

This post has been edited by samurai1337: May 28 2006, 12:13 PM

dont know about others, but i've been using Windows Firewall ever since i started using Windows XP & my system is still in perfect condition

how does it compare to others in terms of security?

does it have good protection just like others but only limited customization?

my personal opinion is Windows Firewall are totally crap! its not too good but not too useless.. so i think its enough for newbie but not for advance user..

can be easily disable by viruses...totally useless..
use another firewall system...

Actually even commercial firewall can be disabled by virusses or trojans.. I've seen that.. but I prefer firewall from a company who specifically made firewall.. that means no to Microsoft.. first thing after install windows.. disable firewall

Windows Firewall only blocks inbound threats and not outbound. In terms of blocking inbound threats, I don't see it to be any weaker as compared to other firewall software but not outbound threats.

However, I use it instead of any other firewall software since it gives decent enough protection.

The next version of Windows Firewall would probably be a more fully featured firewall.

im using Windows Firewall too.....so far, no problems......cuz my router also has a built-in firewall too.........

If you only need inbound protection, then Windows FW is good enough.

I prefer to have outbound also, that's why i use other fw.

what do you mean outbound and inbound.

outgoing and incoming connection/request

I juz use firewall in my AVG 7.1...

Inbound means the data is sent out from your computer. Means it's by the user side of connection. Outbound means tat data or connection from outside world trying to get into your pc. Correct me if i'm wrong guys?

Inbound = connection initiated by outside world
Outbound = connection initiated by yourself

Take note, it is connection, not data flow.

in short, inbound means data going INTO ur com,
outbound is data going OUT of ur com.
windows firewall covers inbound data, which means, it does block harmful rubbish coming in, but if ur com is already affected with spyware, ur personal details and all that will go back to the "mothership". so, windows firewall, not totally that good,only minimal protection. go get zone alarm firewall, free edition. it does protect you well.i used it for ages d.

Nice word

nicely explained....

may i know how to disable the windows firewall..theres always this windows security alerts on the right bottom of my desktop. i would like to remove/uninstall the windows firewall since i had zonelabs

any ideas on how? that windows firewall is bundled when i installed windows XP service pack 3 though

Firstly you disable windows firewall. Then, when u install zonelabs firewall, it will be automatically detected. As long as u hav any firewall, the security alerts wont come up.

btw, it is Service Pack 2 only... I doubt there are any SP3's??...

There will be SP3, but it will be after the release of Windows Vista

But I'm not sure whether a brand new firewall will be bundled together with SP3, but I don't think so.

but there is no XP SP3 meanwhile,true. So, wonder why Jedi mention SP3 on his XP rig...

It would be thirdparty/unofficial collection of patches that they call it SP3. I don't recommend you guys to install it.

SP3 for laughs.
TBH I find it much better than McAfee's Personal Firewall+, which I hate with a passion (any app that tries to access the web freezes until you block/allow it)

Surf safely/wisely, have a good port config, and you don't need a firewall.

XED, I dont think so. Ever since I had Zone Alarm in my sysem, I have blocked quite numerous attacks ( u no those port scanners). Surving the web without firewall, I personally wont advice that. no offence. lol.

natakaasd, just curious which version of ZA are you using currently. I'm having ZA 5.5.062.011, but it seems to 'lock' websites surfing if I leave my comp idle downloading only. I'd have to set the firewall to 'medium' for it to work again. I'm thinking of upgrading to the version 6, but I've heard of some problems with it as well.

I am not so sure about your problem CrazyNut... I am using ZA 6.1.744.001. When I download files, I still can surf unless Downloading exceeds my bandwith ( 56K modem). Maybe you should check the option about Internet Lock automation after certain period of time. Maybe you can tell me about ur Internet Browser and version. Maybe can check for conflicts?

I am using ZA Free edition and Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.4 .
Everything is perfect.

Oh, I forgot to note that when I download through BT ZA locks my connection. If it's direct download it's alright.

I'm using IE 6 with ZA 5.062

IE 6, oh, I never used IE eversince I stopped using IE 5 (long time d,lol). Sry then, can't advice much then. Maybe other LYN members can help you then.
From the way you said, most likely BT might be the cause of your problem...
Most likely BT eats up all your bandwith until you have none to surf? possible ler...

Unlikely to be BT's problem since I usually only download 1 task at a time. All I have to do is set back the Internet Zone Security to medium then everything works fine for me again.

Thanks for the help though, I think I'll be switching to Firefox soon

LOL, good luck in your transition. If it isn't BT's problem, then I am not so sure about what is going on with ZA on your computer. Maybe Upgrading it to Version 6 might solve the problem? Bugs take the time to solve, and if we don't take the initiative to patch the system, no point rite? Good Luck.

Indeed, you're right I've thought about upgrading to version 6, but I've heard of problems with it as well...and ZA's famous to mess up PCs.

Really? I doubt. My PC was so far safer than it was b4 I installed ZA. Sygate Firewall was useless if you ask me.(Maybe my version was buggy?...)
ZA nvr had a chance 2 mess my pc though... Problems? maybe you can give me a link to those websites mentioning about ZA bugs... i will do my reading up...

Honestly I'm pretty much satisfied with ZA. It was my first firewall and ZA pretty much blocks most intrusions. Of course I'm not saying ZA messes up all PCs, just a majority of users (or maybe it was just settings problem?) I've friends who've successfully managed ZA without any problems.

Anyways, for your reading pleasure-

http://www.computergripes.com/ZoneAlarm.html

There's more, but I can only find one now. Will post in more when I manage to find them again..

LOL, thanks again. Frankly, maybe it is not ZA that is buggy. I read of reviews saying certain programs make their computing life like (anything...), but then, the problem is with the user. Just because the meddle with certain settings and the computer goes crazy. Worst still, they say they are innocent. (SWEAT) So, I would suggest you go through most of your programm settings. Most likely there is one setting that is conflicting with ZA's Settings. Cheers. Good Luck.