Re: Using only XP's firewall saves resources

From: K. Allard (noreply_at_here.org)
Date: 12/10/03 

Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 21:46:54 GMT

Jari Lehtonen wrote:

> Knowing what should be given permission to contact net is a very
> difficult task for Joe Everyman. And comparing the resource drain and
> other problems in the external utilities I consider that XP:s own
> light firewall with AV/AT software is sufficient protection. God help
> me and my computer if I am wrong!

For the most part, you are correct--but only if you are responsible with
the new code you introduce to your system, and if you use a really
strong anti-malware utility such as Kaspersky Anti-Virus. If you
download and run applications from P2P programs, warez sites (keygens,
cracks, etcetera), and if you use a cheapie freeware anti-virus utility,
you're really begging for trouble. And you'll find it. (Note: I
suspect that you do NOT use P2P programs or warez sites, so do not feel
inclined to deny that you do! The mention of them was made just to
effect a point.)

Most trojans these days bypass firewalls and the whole TCP/IP stack
anyway, so personal firewall software is definitely no panacea. But it
can still help with spyware and less-sophisticated malware.

The bottom line is that good sense and safe computing are, as they has
always been, far and away the most important things to have and rely on. 

-- 
Windows: How many times would you like to reboot today?

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