Re: windows firewall

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
> fortwilliam wrote:
>
>> hi..i installed Zone Alarm recently and have noticed that my windows
>> firewall keeps turning off, Are they conflicting with each other? or
>> maybe i dont need windows firewall activated as well as ZA, i would
>> have thought for security the more the better.any pointers would be
>> much appriciated,many thanks in advance
>
>
> Don't run two firewalls. You achieve no extra protection, you incur
> the extra overhead of running two firewalls, and you run the risk
> (probably small, but not zero) of conflicts between them.
>
> See http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/firewall.mspx
>
> which includes the following:
>
> "Q. Should I use both the built-in firewall and a software firewall
> from a different company on my Windows XP computer?
>
>
>
> "A. No. Running multiple software firewalls is unnecessary for
> typical home computers, home networking, and small-business
> networking scenarios. Using two firewalls on the same connection
> could cause issues with connectivity to the Internet or other
> unexpected behavior. One firewall, whether it is the Windows XP
> Internet Connection Firewall or a different software firewall, can
> provide substantial protection for your computer."
>
>
> Also note that if you update your third-party firewall to a new
> version, the update routine will probably turn it off first. If the
> Windows firewall isn't running, you will temporarily be left with no
> running firewall, which is very dangerous. So turn on the Windows
> firewall temporarily before doing maintenance on your third-party
> firewall.
>
>
> The Windows firewall monitors incoming traffic only. Almost any
> third-party firewall will also monitor outbound traffic, stopping
> rogue programs trying to call home, and is a better choice.

An even better choice is a program that detects and removes nasties like
RAT's and Zombies and dialers
Then you can safely use Windows Firewall.


.

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