Hi. I have some questions about Windows Vista firewall: 1. How can I configure it so the firewall is the first thing to load with the OS, or so that it at least loads quicker? I am worried that my computer is vulnerable during this bootup time while the firewall is still unloaded. 2. Could you recommend some configuration options for me, or tell me how you have yours configured? 3. The "shield" icon is red with a white "x". Apparently this is due to the fact that it does not like that I have the User account control turned off. Is there a way to stop Vista from complaining about this? It is more of a psychological reason that the "x" is bothering me. I guess I could just put up with it and know that my computer is protected. But perhaps I *should* have the UAC turned on. What do you think? I think the UAC is pretty darn annoying. But perhaps it(UAC) is not optimally configured, and that is the problem. 4. Should I use Zone Alarm(free) instead of Vista firewall? I am thinking probably not. I have used the "Shields Up" test by GRC and Vista firewall passed perfectly. So if it ain't broke don't fix it. right? Feel free to give me any additional security advise. Thanks

Check out this for Vista firewall... http://majorgeeks.com/Vista_Firewal...

Alright - first the primers: Windows Firewall (any firewall) loads into Windows as a service. All services load after everything else have loaded (BIOS, NTLDR, etc). I am worried that my computer is vulnerable during this bootup time while the firewall is still unloaded. Your worrying is unfounded. Read how Firewall works and what it does and doesn't do HERE. Could you recommend some configuration options for me, or tell me how you have yours configured? There is no one universal setting for a two-way firewall. Each user has different needs. The "shield" icon is red with a white "x". Apparently this is due to the fact that it does not like that I have the User account control turned off. Is there a way to stop Vista from complaining about this? Yes there is a way to disable it by following this tip. While I can understand the reasons why you turned off UAC, I think you may give yourself some serious second thought after you have read the rest of my comments below. Not long ago I was called into service to figure out why one of the client's workstations kept getting UAC popups. I traced it to a malicious P2P software installed by one employee without the company authorization. By uninstalling the P2Ps the UAC annoyance finally went quiet. I suppose that if the UAC were disabled before this took place, the workstation and possibly the entire network would have been compromised. BTW whatever happened to the employee I never asked and don't need or want to know. i_Xp/VistaUser

Thanks for the replies everyone. I am "Meditate", btw. forgot my password and lost the paper I had it written on. But anyway, thanks for your help. Athlon 64 X2 4400 1024MB of RAM 250GB HD Nvidia 6150