Firewall ... is it working ?

I've just purchased a new computer with Win XP. When I set the "network connection" for DSL, I clicked the option for FIREWALL. When I go back and check the details under "network connection ", it DOES indicate that this option is set.

How can I be sure that the firewall is working adequately .... and that I don't need to install something more secure to prevent hacking or other intrusion?

 

Check it out here.
Scroll down and click on Probe My Ports.

 

The XP fiirewall, even if it's working perfectly, will only give you protection from Incoming threats to your DSL connection... for protection against trojans, virii, etc, you'll need additional layers of protection.

You can try the Tiny Personal Firewall (free) which works well with XP to give you control over which applications are allowed to send info From your computer, Zone Alarm which is a free, complete firewall or the Outpost free version firewall.

With either Zone Alarm or Outpost you can disable the XP firewall as these two programs do the same thing as the XP firewall and you might have conflicts otherwise... with TPF you should leave the XP firewall enabled.

I prefer Outpost, since it is ready to protect you as soon as it's installed... no need to do any special configuring, just Allow or Disallow for applications which try to access the internet... a very good program for the inexperienced firewall user.

 

Cool results

Wow - I just did that "probe my ports" thing Iuga suggested. I got way better results on my Linux setup (only using the default firewall that comes with the install) than I ever did with my Windows setup on full firewall config. Wouldn't mean that Linux is vulnerable on different ports would it?

 

If a computer has trojans or viruses that are trying to call out, it has already been compromised, and the fact that a firewall won't let it access the web is akin to cutting the phone lines to one's home so the burglar in the house can't call his buddies.

The essence of computer security is making absolutely certain that nothing gets INTO it, and there will then be no need to prevent anything from getting OUT of it.

First, thoroughly scan the machine in all-files mode with an up-to-date antivirus app. When it is pronounced clean, fetch a decent firewall that will prevent anyone out there from getting into the machine.

I use BlackICE Defender, which registers full stealth on Gibson's port tester, and it passes the HackerWhacker test with flying colors. It doesn't flag programs trying to access the Net (I use Guard Dog for that), but since I KNOW this machine is free of unwanted digital invaders, that's a non-issue.

ZoneAlarm is a good one (presently free) that DOES monitor outgoing stuff, if one needs that sense of security.