So do I need SP2's Windows Firewall or not?

Read the article that everyone's commenting on.
Subscribe to the RSS Feed for comments on this article.

If I have to allow xp firewall to be uninstalled where do I go to to reinstall it?

I don't believe it CAN be uninstalled. You can go to the security center in Control Panel to turn it on, if it was simply turned off.

If you are using a router with NAT(Network Address Translation)enabled then you do not need a software firewall. This is because any potential hacker 'probing' your network will only 'see' the router which, of course, does not hold any valuable information. NAT allows the router to change the ip address header of any data packets sent from your p.c. Instead of the ip address of your p.c. the packet is sent out with the ip address of the router itself. Therefore when a hacker 'probes' your network looking for a reply from your p.c. all he gets is a reply from the router. In effect your p.c. is 'hidden' behind the router.
If your p.c. is not behind a router then you most definately DO need a software firewall. However, if you do use a NAT enabled router then software firewalls are not necessary.

Is it safe to use Limeware music download? is it safe for my computer?

Thank You,

Edward Ldu

This comment is for Edward who asked if it is safe to download from Limewire. It's safe just make sure you have a good antivirus program and you scan everything you download before you run it. Be extra careful if you download software because a large percentage of the software downloads on Limewire are viruses, worms or trojans.

I believe running a software firewall remains prudent even behind a NAT Router. This is particularly true if you let (either deliberately or accidentally) untrusted machines onto your network. Once an untrusted machine is on your network they can infect you directly and you (and the NAT Router) will never know it happened.

There are many ways that this can happen...

1. The majority of casual computer users do not know how to secure a wireless network and an unsecured wireless network is an open invitation for unwanted guests. (At my previous home I could see three unsecured networks that remained unsecured even after repeated offers to help them get secure).

2. Perhaps you invite guests onto your network, e.g. friends for LAN gaming.

3. You have untrustworthy users with their own machines on your network, for example, teenagers who P2P and lack the skills to prevent 'accidents'.

4. Even a skilled user can be caught out if they offer to 'fix' a friends computer and connect it to their LAN without thinking.

5. A mobile machine may pick up an infection elsewhere and bring it home to behind the NAT Router.

etc.

If your Notebook or Desktop Computer contains or is "likely" to have a Wireless Card connected to it (With USB ports I would say this is Mandatory), you do need a good Software Firewall to stop possible Wireless Intrusion directly into your LAN.

A Router ***will not Block*** this traffic!

Is there a way to make the software firewall of my laptop automaticaly activate when using other/public network(ie: not on home network) AND deactivate when I'm on my home network(has a router and I trust my LAN) ?

Yes, i have installed sp2 on my computer, ever since then i have had troube with my boot up. I dont know what has caused this, cause i have reinstalled windows xp before no problem with sp2, but now i am having boot up problems. And i am unable to use my zone alarm without this sp2. Is there any other firewalls i can use other zone alarm without having to use sp2???

I have windows firewall enabled on my laptop. I also have Mcafee anti virus installed which also has firewall enabled. I was told that more than 1 firewall can conflict with each other. Which one do I need or is preferred?

To post a comment on "So do I need SP2's Windows Firewall or not?", please return to that article's main page.