Windows Firewall problem.

[isnibs]

I would like to use the Windows Firewall which came with my XP computer but I cannot switch it on. I've tried all the usual ways but no luck. Any ideas ?
Steve

[Giggsie]

did you go to control panel then firewall and under general tab put a dot alongside on?

[ChuckFickens]

Why would you want to use the XP firewall??

Although slightly better than nothing, it is rubbish. (it's an inbound firewall only, so if you do get anything nasty on your computer it won't stop it making outbound connections)

You'd be better off using a decent free firewall like zone alarm or commodo

[smith134]

Try to follow this Microsoft link. Hope it will help you lot
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

[johnpol78]

Click Start, click Run, type Firewall.cpl, and then click OK.
On the General tab, click On (recommended).
Click OK.

update the firewall and check the services.
check the policies firewall should be disabled .enable the firewall from the policies

[VHG]

I agree with ChuckFickens, the Windows XP firewall is not very good and offers little protection (the one in Vista is better).

Far better go for a decent "free" one like ZoneAlarm.

[ACtheTROLL]

I just want to poke my nose in .... ;)

chuck and VHG are absolutely right (of course)
also remember that your router almost certainly will have one too


johnpol and is smith134 his new sidekick??
john - you forgot the spam - seems you do have your limits

[isnibs]

Hi and thanks for all the answers.No it definitely won't switch on. My PC advisor thought it could have been hijacked by a virus which he got rid of but the firewall still doesn't switch on. i've got PC Tools Spyware Doctor and antivirus and their firewall so i'm covered OK. I should get back to him since I've paid for the service. I would like to have the option of using it or not as the case may be.
Thanks again for the advice.
Steve

[VHG]

If you have already got one firewall turned on then you cannot then turn on the Windows firewall.

[ACtheTROLL]

voice of truth from vhg ... what other security do you have installed?


remember though

don't end up paying a quid for a 10 bob gadget you'll never use

I honestly can't think of a single reason why you'd need it
... I never have

the level of protection a single pc firewall gives is small (good if part of a bigger set).

router / dhcp provide stronger / more comprehensive - even if you know firewalls ... xp's wont do many of the important basics
(however if you've paid ... get yout money's worth)

[isnibs]

I have a Belkin router and cable Broadband. Would there be a firewall in it and does it get updated regularly ? I've got an instruction book.Maybe I should read it fully !
I've just got the PC Tools Spyware Doctor with anti Virus and the free Firewall from same company. AVG antivirus is reported to be good also and I will use it on occasions but not keep it since it might conflict with the other one. One antivirus will not catch everything.
I'll not worry any more about the windows firewall since I'll not use it anyway.
My other problem with my laptop is still there ! I've got the old update shield back this morning ! I suppose I'll try downloading again. You never know.

[ACtheTROLL]

not how a "propper" firewall works

the basic principle is you start by blocking everything ...
then open ports to let things out
80 - for your browser etc
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~rakerman/port-table .html

the updated firewall is generally part of a software package
avira, kaspersky, zone alarm
and as vhg says ... they also tend to prevent you switching the windows one on while they are installed

the packaged walls tend to be more useful as part of a virus/trojan kit because they have application filtering to stop new stuff just broadcasting from your machine

.... on the router it's called port forwarding ... so you can say
all ftp traffic goes to xxxx
or block any traffic on port 2356

the updateable firewall will also use your hosts file

http://www.abelhadigital.com/

so you can do it all ... but it's lumpy - far better to consider an internet security suite

[johnpol78]

firewall is a software and the hardware device both.

this firewall hardware device is a cisco device which is also used for block the other networks. this firewall provides a high level security and it is safe and secure .

so you can use the firewall software and the hardware device both work for the security of the network.