Windows Firewall - off or on?

WinXp, Home, SP2.

If i look at the control panel security center, it shows the windows firewall
as being turned "on ".

When i look at Help and Support and review the firewall settings (search
on firewall), it shows the firewall as being set to "Off ". I'm confused.
Which is it, "Off" or "On "?

I have Zone Alarm installed and thats the one i want to have on.
I have the Windows Defender installed if that has any bearing.

thanks,
savagcl

 

Hi clif,

Control Panel > Security Center > Windows firewall > General tab: is it off or on there?

And if its on, can you turn it off?

Regards - Charles

 

Hi clif,

You got to where I'm referring to in a roundabout way.

To make sure that WF is not running:
Control Panel > Security Center > Windows Firewall > Advanced tab > Security Logging > Settings > in the log settings dialog box: check "Log dropped Packets" and click the save as bar: \WINDOWS\pfirewall.log. That log is accessible with Notepad.

I don't know why the front panel in the Security center is telling you its running and not ZA.

What version of ZA are you running? The earlier versions of ZA are not recognized by the Security Center and depending on what version of ZA you have, ZA will shut WF off - its a default setting in ZA.

Regards - Charles

 

charlesvar,

Strange! All 3 are turned on (firewall, autoupdate and virus protection)
and i cannot change the "on" / "off" for any of them. I did as you
mentioned by going through the help&support, search on "firewall" and
that gave access to the settings. Not sure why having a log turned on
would help to turn the firewall off but??? Guess if i start seeing a log of
dropped packets, i'll know if its on or off tho.

My ZA version is: 6.1.744.001


Thanks for the reply,
savagcl

 

Hi clif,

I asked you to turn the logging on for that reason You should not see anything in there as long as ZA is running.

That version will by default turn WF off.

Regards - Charles

 

If you are running a third party firewall disable the windows firewall. In the control panel set it to off, also in the windows firewall settings uncheck your NIC, Modem. Then if Windows Firewall gets re-enabled it wont matter.

 

Hello Dcrypter,

He's running ZA.

Bad idea; by design, if either the user or malware disables ZA, WD turns itself on.

Regards - Charles

 

Very true, however if malware disables ZA its more than likely that Windows Firewall will also be disabled at the same time. The other reason for it was I have had it enable (without warning) and prevent some applications from functioning.

 

Hi Dcrypter,

Ok

But if someone is that intent on making sure WD never runs, then its easier just to turn WD's Service off.

Regards - Charles