Do I need more than XP's firewall?

Hello, I just learned that my new Dell with Windows XP apparently has its own firewall, so do I still need to get a third party firewall such as Norton Internet Security or one through my ISP? In other words, do you all think I am covered for most things if I have XP's firewall and Norton antivirus? Thanks for any input. Tom

 

You could continue to use it, your choice, but there are many [bold]better[/bold] third party firewalls. Just remember to turn off Windows' firewall if you get another. Using two is like not using one.

As for the antivirus, Norton is weak. This should help alot. http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/292257

 

Yes tom34diy, you need more than windows firewall.

Windows firewall only works "one way", meaning a full software firewall will do much more for you.

Take a look at the guide, it need's updating and I'm in the process of doing so.

Remember to turn windows firewall off after you've installed your new firewall

Start > controll panel > Secuirty centre > Window's firewall OFF.

 

Yes I agreee its better to have a third party firewall windows firewall is standard for my liking and is weak and u will become an easy tarfet still.

Its better to go with a company that specialises in this field.

 

As rav009 said, Windows Firewall only works one way. What that meeans is that it only blocks packets coming from the Internet. The Windows firewall allows everything to be transmitted out to the Internet. If you get a virus or trojan then nothing is preventing it from sending info out to the Internet. A good home firewall should also only permit allowed programs to go out as well, and they have to ask permission the first time they try to access the internet. That functionalitly is not in the Windows Firewall until Vista comes out, but I don't know of any commercial firewall for home use that doesn't have that feature.

 

Thanks a lot for the good info. Guess I will have to go buy the firewall software. Since I have Norton AV, would it be better for me to use their Internet Security (firewall) software instead of someone elses? Tom

 

Well I would say yes NIS is good enough to do the job and thats what i use. But a lot of people here would say differently, so its up to you.

 

Please, don't get me started on NIS..

http://www.castlecops.com/t157416-The_quot_New_Norton_quot_Internet_Security_is_BAD_NEWS.html

http://www.epinions.com/content_214060273284

I could rant all day if I wanted to, but that would be going off topic.

Glad to hear out advise was useful, tom34diy

 

I've had AVG all along but when I read this thread I realized I had to turn off Windows Firewall. Now this annoying balloon at the bottom of my screen keeps popping up saying "Windows does not detect a firewall, click here to fix the problem" or something like that. Is there any way to stop the balloon or get windows to detect AVG?

 

Control Panel. Security Center. In the Resources section, click on Change the way Security Center alerts me. Uncheck all three boxes.*

* - For those using Spybot Search and Destroy, it will detect that change in the alert section and label it in red, labeled Windows Security. Don't allow Spybot to make the corrections or that bubble will come back.

 

But then I will no longer get those bubbles for anything again right? Is there a way to just change it for that one program?

 

dont know whats up with my pc?
when i go to >Change the way Security Center alerts me. Uncheck all three boxes.* i cant do anything . is there something stoping it

 

there are also free stuff, sygate, zonealarm...etc; to try out if you,like then you can buy full copy. Private surfing is also great.

 

I have three firewalls, I can recommend Sygate.

 

andersg:

AVG is an Anti Virus by Grisoft (hence AVG) - not a firewall. That is why when you turned off the Windows Firewall is gave you that warning balloon.

 

I see. I turned off windows firewall in the first place hoping my torrent would download faster. Not much luck so far though

 

you dont need to turn windows firewall off to download your torrents faster .just set the settings to allow your torrent client .as for windows firewall it is junk download zone alarm .i did and works very well.its a pain at first to let all your stuff in but when thats all configured u should be ok.

 

I'm thinking bout ZoneAlarm but for now I think I'll stick with the Windows one cause I am too lazy to let all the stuff through. Maybe tomorrow lol

 

you will get less junk in your pc with zone alarm.i used to use windows firewall until about 2 days ago .at first zone alarm is a little bit a pain in the butt .but once u get it strait it is cool.this is wierd my ie and others seem faster now .

 

Now that you have ZoneAlarm?