xpsp2's firewall - how good is it?

[ring0]

a question, especially for the folks that've installed the rc1 build of xp's sp2: have you gone to a website that will run a firewall scan/test and checked out the results? if so, how well did it turn out? is the built-in firewall going to be good enough to replace something like zonealarm?

ok, that turned out to be 3 questions, but c'mon... ;)

[John Veteran]

I'd say it's pretty good, though it's up to you wether or not you replace ZoneAlarm. It is better than the previous version, along with many UI changes. It also is running during bootup, while the previous one wasn't, so you were vulnerable for a few secs on bootup.

[DigitalN.]

so powerful i couldnt connect to the net while i had SP2 installed! lol

[DsnBehind]

so powerful i couldnt connect to the net while i had SP2 installed! lol

Now that's protection. :D

[HellBender]

The built in firewall will never replace a commercial firewall product. No matter what you do with ICF, it will only block incoming traffic, so if you have a trojan installed--tough luck.

Plus, commercial firewalls have extensive logging to show you all the interesting traffic on your line. ICF is silent.

so powerful i couldnt connect to the net while i had SP2 installed! lol

If it did that to everyone, it would provide the best protection of all :yes:

[new_duxie]

actually the new windows internet firewall does monitor incoming AND outgoing connections, and seems to have full logging and options to fully configure it.

[DsnBehind]

No matter what you do with ICF, it will only block incoming traffic, so if you have a trojan installed--tough luck.

Okay, I swear I read somewhere that it now blocks outgoing traffic, as well. :unsure:

[Redestium]

Okay, I swear I read somewhere that it now blocks outgoing traffic, as well. :unsure:

Me too, unless something changed recently. :/

[kolp]

can you give one oof them firewall-checking sites? i am with sp1+all fixes and want to know if i am okay :)

thanks

[clonk]

No matter what you do with ICF, it will only block incoming traffic, so if you have a trojan installed--tough luck.

I'm sorry but this statement is flat out incorrect. The SP2 Windows Firewall does block both incoming and outgoing traffic. When an application attempt to access the internet, Windows Firewall WILL inform you, and gives the option to allow it to do so, or block it.

[rvbfan]

can you give one oof them firewall-checking sites? i am with sp1+all fixes and want to know if i am okay :)

thanks

try sheildsup

https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

[rvbfan]

a question, especially for the folks that've installed the rc1 build of xp's sp2: have you gone to a website that will run a firewall scan/test and checked out the results? if so, how well did it turn out? is the built-in firewall going to be good enough to replace something like zonealarm?

ok, that turned out to be 3 questions, but c'mon... ;)

It's a lot better than not using one at all.

[John Veteran]

I've always wondered about GRC... I mean, honestly, what the hell kind of URL is that? :ermm: make it something simple like www.grc.com/shieldsup :rolleyes: I guess that's too much for Steve to think of...

[figgy]

I think it is OK.

But not upto par with commercial firewalls like Kerio etc.

[HellBender]

I'm sorry but this statement is flat out incorrect.  The SP2 Windows Firewall does block both incoming and outgoing traffic.  When an application attempt to access the internet, Windows Firewall WILL inform you, and gives the option to allow it to do so, or block it.

DOH! Of course, I killed my ICF, and I didnt even realize it.. Geez.

Sorry for the misinformation guys. I retract my statements.

[Storm]

Yeah it does outgoing aswell

[OPaul]

Is there are option to allow all outgoing traffic while blocking incoming like original ICF does?

[Redestium]

Is there are option to allow all outgoing traffic while blocking incoming like original ICF does?

You can add exceptions for specified programs, not sure about a setting for all though.

[nomis_nehc]

actually, one of the earlier sp2's firewall borked my net connection too. i couldn't figure out how to fix that crap and had to reinstall windows... wouldn't even let me get rid of the damn sp.

[ad345zAdZ0d9_]

i just got a perfect stealth scan with ICF and shildsup...

I don't know about all of the microsoft bashers here, but I think they may have got it right this time, as i feel no need to reinstall ZAP

[DsnBehind]

i just got a perfect stealth scan with ICF and shildsup...

I don't know about all of the microsoft bashers here, but I think they may have got it right this time, as i feel no need to reinstall ZAP

Don't allow ShieldsUP! to be the sole tool you use to compare Windows Firewall to ZoneAlarm Pro: there are many more things to consider when comparing them.

[ad345zAdZ0d9_]

Don't allow ShieldsUP! to be the sole tool you use to compare Windows Firewall to ZoneAlarm Pro: there are many more things to consider when comparing them.

ok then.... i'm all ears :)

[DsnBehind]

ok then.... i'm all ears :)

Well, I dunno. :laugh: It's 3 A.M. :rofl:

Just think about it. Do you want the many more advanced features of a commercial firewall, or will you be satisfied with Windows' own simpler version?

[ad345zAdZ0d9_]

Well, I dunno. :laugh: It's 3 A.M. :rofl:

Just think about it. Do you want the many more advanced features of a commercial firewall, or will you be satisfied with Windows' own simpler version?

To be honest i dont think I could want any more features from a firewall than the winxp one. It has:

• Configurable Options
  
• Outbound Blocking
  
• Inbound Blocking
  
• Logging
  
• Full stealth scan good
  
• Total Intergration into OS
  

Seems enough for me :p

[Banzai]

humm i might stop using norton its only slowing down my system i guess