XP Firewall

[Jarhed7276]

I have read in the forums many times that it is better to use Zone Alarm or Sygate firewalls rather than Xp's. Why? What makes them better than Xp's?

[[Neo770]]

The XP firewall has no outgoing protection like the others. Also its Microsoft, so its expected to have more holes then the others. Also its not as configurable as other firewalls.

Thats about the basics of it.

[Jarhed7276]

Thanks Neo. Someone asked me about that today and I realized that I didn't know the answer.

On a side note, SP2 doesn't add anything to the existing firewall in XP does it?
All it does is change the install default from disabled to enabled, correct?

[[Neo770]]

Well I heard that it was supposed to make it more configurable, but as I dont have SP2 yet I cant say for sure.

Either way most people dont use the XP firewall because they dont trust MS to protect their PC

[SeanC]

SP2 is supposed to give you configurable settings for the new and improved "Windows Firewall". I don't know whether it does because I run Zonealarm.

Like Neo said, most people don't trust Microsoft to protect their PCs.

Sean

[DanGrease]

Main reason why Windows Firewall fail to be chosen instead of a third-part firewall is because it has no outgoing protection. Also because its nos as configurable as many free firewalls such as Zone Alarm.

Service Pack 2 ads more configurations to the firewall itself. It also turns it on by default, which SP1 failed to do. Still, its almost identical to its previous state. Since I actually need a better firewall, I just use Sygate's free version of their firewall solution.

The Windows firewall is actually a great idea for people that dont even know what a firewall is. (I know many that dont, believe me) Its better to use some kind of protection as to not use anything at all. For power users such as myself, there are better free firewall solutions around.

dan

[muno]

I'm with dan, probably the only real reason behind the xp firewall is that most people wear no protection.

And, M$ gets blamed alot for viruses and stuff it has nothing to do with, so they made a basic firewall that at least every computer could have some protection right out of box.
I've never used it, but I'd guess it stops pretty well initial attacks (before you get to update and stuff your computer).

[Jarhed7276]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I've read so many posts on not using MS firewall
from people whose opinions I respect that I never questioned it, just took it on faith, so I was at a loss when asked why the others where better.

I am going to talk to this fellow again this evening and I know he will ask why he needs outgoing protection if everything inbound is blocked. Can someone give me a good answer for this? If everything is blocked how or what gets in that needs protection from the inside?

Once again, thanks for your time.

[Starfury_2260]

Doesn't the XP firewall also block outgoing stuff after SP2? It asks if a program should be allowed access at least.

[muno]

Trojan-horse, TROJAN.

Meaning the user clicks/runs something he should not, thinks it's something funny/whatever and executes.
Your system becomes infected, and malware inside can do whatever they please.