Just a question but doesn't windoes XP have a built in firewall? Is that enough or do you need a different firewall?

If you have a router with a hardware firewall, many people would say you are safe. The problem with the XP firewall for most users is that it only controls incoming traffic, and not outgoing. If you should get a trojan/worm you will not be able to control what outgoing traffic it generates. The most secure and fairly inexpensive firewall is to get a router like the DLink604, Linksys, SMC, etc., as they have a hardware firewall that is more secure than any software firewall. A hardware firewall also causes or has no system performance issues. The XP firewall will pass most security tests like the ones at Symantec and Gibson Research's Shield's Up, so it is not useless as many people think.

yes, XP has a built in firewall. SP2 has a more secure firewall, but I would suggest a 3rd party firewall like Sygate home which is also free and easy to operate. If you geta 3rd party firewall, TURN OFF the XP firewall.

Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks

Hi Bobval

If you dont want to spend any money and are looking for a free firewall have a look at nowyoudo.co.uk

If any advice helps, please post back as it might help others.

bobval, are you from Alberta?

Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks

Nope I'm from New Brunswick, I have a wireless router that my desktop is hooked to and my laptop uses to access internet and e-mail. would that have a built in firewall?

If you want Sygate, you will have to get it at http://www.oldversion.com/
Sygate was bought out by Symantec and all versions of Sygate are no longer available. Too bad for us users, as it was an excellent if not the best one available.

Smifff, thanks for another link that provides Sygate!

To give you an example Bobval,a few years ago when i knew absolutely nothing about security, viruses,etc, i received an email from my internet provider that they were going to cut me off because of the many complaints they had received about me.This was news to me!.My computer was infected big time and sending out nasties to other computers without my knowledge.So using the one way window's firewall would not prevent this.Another reason that doesn't get discussed often but is very important to me is to keep an eye on your software.Alot of it is always trying to phone home so you can stop that and only allow when its necessary.Its a privacy issue.I don't classify these as spyware, but i'm the one that controls what happens here, not them.You know what i mean!.The link above provides the best free ones.I've tried them all and reccommend Kerio because, of the three, i found it had the best layout and performs super.If you can afford it, keep the full version once the 30 day trial expires.Any comments on Zonealarm pro?.Tried it and felt the layout was unorganized and couldn't get some things to either work or had to keep re-enabling them.

withe the wireless router firewall and the windows firewall shouldn't that be enough or is it ever enough ?

Start at the beginning of your thread and read again.That will answer your question!.

In general if you have a hardware firewall and keep your AVS and spyware scanner definitions up to date you shouldn't need a software firewall. The built-in XP firewall is kind of tricky to manage and has a nasty habit of blocking your LAN connections.

As was pointed out if you get a trojan on your machine despite your precautions a software firewall that blocks unauthorized outbound traffic can save your hide. There are a number of decent freeware firewalls that do this and all you have to do is look around for them. I use ZoneAlarm and am very happy with it. Others have their own preferences, based on what they do online.