you can get a free one from zonelabs.com or most routers are a hardware firewall.

---

@brutal_machine98 wrote:

Could someone please tell me if the WindowsXP FireWall is adequate or should I get a commercial one?

---

MORE than adequate, especially if you don't care to have to be cancelling nags or configuring everything but the kitchen sink to get it to work.  SP-2 for Windows XP will allow for more configuration options with the built in firewall, but as it is now, it's very effective for blocking unauthorized inbound traffic, which is where the majority of the bad stuff comes from.  It doesn't use a whole lot of resources like a lot of the 3rd party apps do, it gets along well with the rest of Windows and Internet Explorer, and you can't beat the price.

Thanks! for answering my question, appreciate it...

brutal_machine98

I am using eTrust EZ Arnor LE firewall - this is the one that comes with a free one year trial with the Microsoft Security CD and it works very well. My computer shows up as "secure" on all of the tests I have tried.

You can order it at -

http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.asp

I am using SP-2 RC-2 on my system, with xp firewall that seems to work very well thus far...

SR

Dell Dim 4400 ( Purchase June 2002 )
2.6 ghz (Upgraded from 1.7 ghz)
400 Mhz bus
512 Mb DDR 2100 Ram
Windows XP Home SP-2 RC-2
Roadrunner Cable modem
17 Inch Dell 1703 FP monitor
15 Inch NEC 1516 NX LCD
Dell sound bar for monitor
Microsoft firewall SP-2 RC-2
AVG Free edition anti virus
Gainward Ti 4200, 128 Mb video card
USB 2.0 and 1.1
48XCDRW SAMSUNG SW-252S
Bios A06

The looks of the eTrust EZ Arnor Le Firewall is almost like Zone Alarm, is it not ?

SR

Dell Dim 4400 ( Purchase June 2002 )
2.6 ghz (Upgraded from 1.7 ghz)
400 Mhz bus
512 Mb DDR 2100 Ram
Windows XP Home SP-2 RC-2
Roadrunner Cable modem
17 Inch Dell 1703 FP monitor
15 Inch NEC 1516 NX LCD
Dell sound bar for monitor
Microsoft firewall SP-2 RC-2
AVG Free edition anti virus
Gainward Ti 4200, 128 Mb video card
USB 2.0 and 1.1
48XCDRW SAMSUNG SW-252S
Bios A06

Sygate's personal firewall works well.  It's also free for home use.  Once trained, it works pretty well.

i know some routers have firewalls built into them, i know my netgear router does.  u should check to see if urs does, cause if it does, then u dont need to run firewall software.

I was told that for additonal security, you can run both a hardware firewall (Router) and a software firewall to be on the safe side...Any taker's on this one ?

SR

Dell Dim 4400 ( Purchase June 2002 )
2.6 ghz (Upgraded from 1.7 ghz)
400 Mhz bus
512 Mb DDR 2100 Ram
Windows XP Home SP-2 RC-2
Roadrunner Cable modem
17 Inch Dell 1703 FP monitor
15 Inch NEC 1516 NX LCD
Dell sound bar for monitor
Microsoft firewall SP-2 RC-2
AVG Free edition anti virus
Gainward Ti 4200, 128 Mb video card
USB 2.0 and 1.1
48XCDRW SAMSUNG SW-252S
Bios A06

From what I understand:

               A hardware firewall only block incoming traffic.

               It doesn't block outgoing info (containing your credit card number for eg).

A software firwall also blocks the outgoing stuff; so it is usefull to add a software firewall to your hard one.