Hi, what would you choose if you had WinXP HomeSP2 installed with all updates ?? Windows Defender fully updated, is also running. Option 1. WindowsXP Firewall enabled + a 3rd party AntiVirus including AntiSpyware; OR Option 2. WindowsXP Firewall not enabled + a 3rd party Firewall & AntiVirus (no AntiSpyware). am strapped for cash at the moment, so a full ISSuite is out of the equation. :) Rob, Central Coast NSW Australia

Totally up to the individual. I use Avast Free and Comodo Pro Firewall and Spyware Terminator. The AV and Terminator work in real-time so there is no need to schedule scans. Those are all FREE. Works great for me. Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks

XPUSER : "Those are all FREE." now that's my kinda language sport, lol. apart fom that, i think the real question i was trying to ask above is : how good is WinXP's built-in Firewall ?? can it be trusted, relied upon. I have heard that it is only a one way defence >>> IN, but not out. That's a worry in my mind. Am i getting paranoid ?? lol thanks for the info above XPUser, i'll have a look at them. (yeah FREE, wtg !) :) Rob, Central Coast NSW Australia

The SP2 firewall works fine, it was the SP1 that was like you mentioned. I used to use windows defender, but the terminator works much better for me. Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks

XP SP2 firewall cannot be trusted when it comes to outbound traffic. It's completely blind and does not monitor or block any outbound traffic at all. i_XpUser

http://searchwindowssecurity.techta... Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks

Hi Robmoski There are lots of good free security programs, it's just knowing where to look so have a look Here also check out the spyware & rootkit page for free antispyware programs If any advice helps, please post back as it might help others.