Re: Does Windows Firewall Actualy Do Anything?

Bodidleysquat wrote:
I recently noticed that when I clicked on default settings for W.F.
and unchecked the only box left (remote computing), all my internet
programs still work great, if not better! I had years worth of
ports open and I think they may have been causing memory conflicts.
A lot of programs like AVG and Windows Live Messenger ask for three
ports each, which I denied and noticed they both still work fine.
In fact the only program I allow a port is Bit Torrent, but they
claim their program will work even with out a port open. I'm using
XP Pro with just the tcp/ip turned on and a straight thru etherfast
cable modem connection.

The Windows XP Firewall blocks incoming requests only.
If a program installed on your system initiates the request (like your
torrent app likely does) then it is allowed through the firewall.
That's why things like "One-Click UltraVNC" works so well.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html


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