Re: sp2 firewall vs ZA free

From: Kent W. England [MVP] (kwe_at_mvps.org)
Date: 09/25/04 

Date: Sat, 25 Sep 2004 10:05:06 -0700

MR wrote on 22-Sep-2004 11:21 PM:
> I'd like your input as to whats the difference in quality between the ZA &
> xp firewall that comes with sp2. I just got my cd for sp2 and am reading a
> few things about preinstallation and preparation before I install it. I use
> ZA free version and it seems like the new sp2 fw is similar. How many of you
> all have uninstalled the ZA and just kept the xp fw that comes with sp2???
>
>
XP SP2 firewall has much better configurability than earlier versions
and is an adequate inbound protection, much as your cable/DSL router
provides basic firewall protection.

ZoneAlarm adds the protection of monitoring outbound traffic. Why is
this important? Because it gives warning of stealthy trojans and spyware
that may have invaded your system. Why is this a problem? Because you
won't know without some research and learning, what processes to allow
out and which ones might be malicious. The annoyance factor with
outbound monitoring firewalls is quite high and you may decide it isn't
worthwhile. It certainly isn't worthwhile if you ignore the messages and
just click OK to allow everything.

Note that the Windows firewall can be set to give you notice when it
rejects the request of an application to open a listening port. This is
also an important protection against root kits and trojans. 

-- 
Kent W. England, Microsoft MVP for Windows Security

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Logon screen security question
    ... But, in pre-XP SP2, there was a little delay between when the network ... stack was running and when ICF provides protection. ... This information applies to Windows Firewall in XP SP2. ... they also load as system Service ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: XP SP 2: Is it worth it? Absolutely. Problems are way over-hyped.
    ... firewall as they are at using E-Donkey and Kazaa Lite and its new ... MSFT has a ton of help on their site to orient you to SP2 or whatever ... of course people who don't hav any trouble don't post it... ... and that is when the Windows firewall is ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)
  • Re: AntiVirus package reccomendation
    ... As I've pointed out in another thread, a locked down domain policy *can't* be overridden, even by a local admin. ... I disable file and printer sharing on clients as well as leaving the firewall on. ... Is the windows FW so offensive that people would rather ditch the added protection?? ... You can apply that logic to the windows firewall as well. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • Re: Zone Alarm - firewalls
    ... The system protection does not have to have failed for a trojan to enter ... Zonealarm will tell you about outgoing connections that don't make any ... With regards to the Windows firewall, I guess you would always need to be ...
    (alt.comp.anti-virus)
  • RE: Installing norton internet security
    ... You need updates from Norton in order to use NIS with XP SP2. ... to go through a security wizard. ... you can manage the Windows Firewall (formerly known as the ... The new Windows Firewall is much better and more like third-party ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)