Question:
Using MS Firewall and/or Norton Firewall
I have Norton Internet Security which includes a firewall.
I also have the firewall from MS XP Home Pack 2.
Is it bad to have both firewalls "on"
I was once told (I think in PC Mag) that if you have a 3rd party FW on, then you have to turn MS XP firewall off.
Would like a definitive answer on this and cant find it in MS help.
Thanks
dave
Answer:
I would not leave Microsoft in charge of what goes in and out of my computer.
I know things, things that could get me killed
Thinkpad T41:
* 1.6Ghz Pentium M * 768Mb Memory * 40Gb Hitachi 7200RPM * Panasonic UJ-845-B DVD+RW *
Answer:
My MS firewall is turned off. I use the Norton Internet Security product.
Dell Inspiron 8600:
* 1.6 Ghz Pentium M * 1024 MB DDR SDRAM * 60 GB 7200 RPM HD * 15.4" WSXGA+ * Internal Bluetooth * Intel Pro/Wireless 2200 * 4x CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) * ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 Pro Turbo 128 MB * Win XP Pro SP2 *
* Apple 17" PowerBook G4 * 14" Toshiba Tecra 8000 * Apple 14" iBook G4 *
Answer:
If you paid for Norton I would turn the MS firewall off, but I believe the MS firewall to be one of the most competent software firewalls on the market.
I don't mean to go off topic here, but I have seen zazonz state that he would not leave Microsoft in charge of what goes in and out in more than one topic now.
zazonz do you have any reason for this or do you just generally dislike/distrust microsoft? I mean you trust microsoft with every file on your computer if you are running a windows OS. Do you believe the firewall does not work as intended and that it leaves holes, or do you believe that Microsoft uses it to monitor your activity on the internet secretly betraying you to "The Man" or what?
Please don't take offense to the question, I am simply curious whether or not your recomendation has any real basis or is simply your preference.
Answer:
Unless Microsoft has fixed their FW, I would not use it. I made this decision based on articles, such as one of the following:
www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,117380,00.asp
I rely on the Windows OS. However, I still believe in exercising a bit of prudence.
If I am incorrect in my assessment, please advise me. Perhaps Microsoft has resolved this issue.
Dell Inspiron 8600:
* 1.6 Ghz Pentium M * 1024 MB DDR SDRAM * 60 GB 7200 RPM HD * 15.4" WSXGA+ * Internal Bluetooth * Intel Pro/Wireless 2200 * 4x CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) * ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 Pro Turbo 128 MB * Win XP Pro SP2 *
* Apple 17" PowerBook G4 * 14" Toshiba Tecra 8000 * Apple 14" iBook G4 *
Answer:
Based on that article, the behavior not liked by the reviewer is a policy to allow all outbound traffic. This is not a flaw in firewall design, it is the intended behavior of the firewall. Blocking outgoing traffic is useful only if your machine becomes compromised, and in that situation your virus scanner should detect the application causing the outbound traffic.
In my experience blocking outbound traffic is much more of a pain than it is worth. Blocking outbound traffic is not the point of a firewall, keeping bad traffic out in the first place is, and in that are the Microsoft firewall is as good as any application.
And as far as your belief in exercising prudence, it sounds like a good idea, I was not suggesting that we all blindly trust microsoft, just curious as to the reasoning behind a generic statement by zazonz that appreas as far as I can tell to simply be prejudice against Microsoft.
I wanted to know if it was preference, prejudice or infact and educated decision.
Answer:
oops! okay, Knight, point well made. I read the thread, again. With regard to trusting Microsoft . . . Yes, we all must trust it, due to the simple fact that we allow Microsoft to handle all of our data . . . In a manner of speaking.
Dell Inspiron 8600:
* 1.6 Ghz Pentium M * 1024 MB DDR SDRAM * 60 GB 7200 RPM HD * 15.4" WSXGA+ * Internal Bluetooth * Intel Pro/Wireless 2200 * 4x CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) * ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 Pro Turbo 128 MB * Win XP Pro SP2 *
* Apple 17" PowerBook G4 * 14" Toshiba Tecra 8000 * Apple 14" iBook G4 *
Answer:
I installed service pack two with the firewall like everyone. Every Non-Microsoft firewall I have used like Sygate, Tiny or ZoneAlarm has asked whether or not I wanted any system files out, Microsofts never did. It did not stop my Office apps from going out onto the internet. It tried to tell me when I was downloading Real Player, that Real Player was a threat and I should not download it. The purpose of a firewall is to stop objectionable traffic from coming and going. If it is letting its own software through by default, it is already flawed in my opinion and potentially risky. I think I should decide what is wanted or unwanted. Deeming a competing product a hazard seems dumb to me. No offense taken.
I know things, things that could get me killed
Thinkpad T41:
* 1.6Ghz Pentium M * 768Mb Memory * 40Gb Hitachi 7200RPM * Panasonic UJ-845-B DVD+RW *
Answer:
I think that by default the security enhancements provided by SP2, warn you about all executable downloads, from webistes not in your trusted sites list, and those settings can be adjusted by editing your browser security settings.
The microsoft firewall should not stop any traffic from going out, and this behavior is by default as stated in my last post...
But your response is fair enough, thanks for humorning my curiocity.
Answer:
I appreciate the answers but part of my question is what are the consequences if any of having firewalls doubled up. I am not trying to have "extra security" but noticed the MS one was on, when I thought it was off, and someone had once told me it screws up something to have them both running. I thought I had read that in PC Mag when the SP2 first came out.