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.

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

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

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.

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.

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...

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.

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...

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.