WinXP Firewall VS.AOL SSC Firewall

Windows XP

Which Firewall is best to use...AOL SECURITY AND SAFETY CENTER using AOL's Firewall, or Windows XP's Firewalls.

My buddy has verizon DSL with AOL and it's so slow,I'm thinking a Virus. He does run Lavasoft's AVG, I was going to try a MSCONFIG and try to make it run faster,but DSL should be on all the time,,it took almost six minutes for the AOL log on screen to apppear.

I told him to always free up Temp and cookie files,run dusk clean up and defrag whenever possible. He thinks it's his DSL Modem, he reset it and still slower than ratsnot. Thx

 

Hi, rivrbyte. Welcome to Windows BBS! I'm sorry no one has responded more quickly.

I don't know what to recommend regarding AOL's "Security and Safety Center" vs Windows XP's firewall as I am not familiar with AOL products. Windows XP's firewall monitors incoming traffic only and, therefore, doesn't help if malware already exists on the computer and initiates outbound connections.

Since you suspect malware, then I suggest you (or your friend) carefully follow all the directions in this link.

Once you (or he) followed all those instructions, please paste the Hijackthis (HJT) log for us to see if we recognize any indicators of malware.

EDIT: Do NOT have HJT "fix" anything without guidance from a malware removal expert.