Good Afternoon. 2 questions. First - How do I get rid of that Firewall Shield icon in the tray? It constantly pops up messages telling me things I already know. I tried using msconfig but I can't seem to find the right startup command. Control panel doesn't seem to offer me the option to disable - although it's quite possible I'm missing it. Secondly, in the My Computing.net page, it ignores any changes I make to my system configuration and signature. There is a message regarding cookie issues, although thier work around doesn't seem to be working. Thanks much

You can turn OFF you WIN Firewall on the Control Panel, if you don´t wan to do this, just get down the security level. Check if your IE had enabled the cookies, if not enable it on: -TOOLS - Internet Options - Security - Set Default Level or changes the cookies admin.

aka, Thanks for the response. I did turn off the firewall through Control Panel. However, now that little tray icon (red shield) reminds me every 5 minutes that I did turn it it off. I want that baby to just go away :) Thanks

1. Click on the balloon, or on the red shield in the system tray, and you will get another screen. Click on the Recommendations... button. 2. Place a check (Tick mark) in the "I have a firewall solution that I'll monitor myself" box. This will stop Windows from popping up alerts that you are at risk. Click OK 3. After you click OK, you will get the screen saying that Windows will not monitor your firewall settings. Just close the window, and that is the end of that "nagging alert". But ALWAYS SAFER IF YOU DO HAVE ANOTHER FIREWALL to protect your network M

Mad - Thanks much. I basically run through a VPN provided by my company since I work from home. As part of the service, they provide the firewall support and Symantec AV, etc. If I'm not running through the VPN, which is hardly ever, I should be able to re-enable the protection? Thanks

If your company has installed VPN client software onto your PC ask your I.T. Department to set your VPN software so the firewall that comes with it so be set to always on. This will mean there will be no need to enable the windows firewall as well. Turn it off, wait a while, turn it back on again.

The easiest way to change the Security Settings and Alerts is Control Panel - Security Center - all changes can be made there and then look on the Left Panel 'Change the way Security Center Alerts me' Lesley