XP Firewall enough, or do you need more?

So if I already activated the XP Firewall I don't need an aftermarket version......ie. zone labs etc ?????

 

Go here and run the test my shields and probe my ports test and see for yourself if you need another firewall. From what I hear, the windows one isn't very good

 

Christer is correct, ICF blocks incoming only. What that means is that if malware or applications want to "phone home ", you wouldn't know about it because ICF(Internet connection firewall in MS speak) wouldn't ask permission to allow it or block it.

BTW, at blocking incomming, its very good.

Regards - Charles

 

At blocking inbound on an all-or-nothing basis, it is excellent. If you have a port closed, nothing will get thru.** And it is very simple to manage as well as being fast.

But if someone manages to send bad stuff to a port you have open (80 for http so your browser will work for instance) ICF doesn't check packet content.

Some of the firewalls will do what is called "stateful" inspection of packets to see if they fit with what it considers normal flow thru that port. If a packet doesn't seem to be legit, you will be warned.

Like most other computer things, what you get depends on what you want to do and how much work you are willing to put into it.

**unless you happen to not have good AV protection and get infected by one of the viri that can disable a software firewall without your noticing