i tried this test today:
turn on windows firewall (i usually use norton internet security 2003)
dont allow an exception for msn messenger, and mirc
run msn messenger, and mirc
result: both connected through internet without a problem!!!!
thats not a typical firewall's case!!!!!
my question is how do u rate the window's firewall compared to other firewall, from the point view of both computer literate ppl and those who just want their work done. can we (at this point sp2) dump third-party firewall and rely on windows's firewall?? is it reliable??

The thing about Windows Firewall is that it doesn't block outgoing traffic, so it's not too surprising that it allows everything to connect. You only need exceptions if a program needs to accept incoming connections (like a server).

BTW, I think Messenger automatically adds exceptions for itself as needed.

quote:

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Originally posted by WDZ
BTW, I think Messenger automatically adds exceptions for itself as needed.

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SP2 is all junk! Installing SP2 is like installing a timebomb waiting to explode.

quote:

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Originally posted by DJeX
SP2 is all junk! Installing SP2 is like installing a timebomb waiting to explode.

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yeah i'll back it up for Djex.. i installed it few weeks ago, went fine but with 1 issue i had with it, it stopped completly my Antivirus from updating Automatically even if it was in the Allow list to do so, stil lwouldnt work, so i uninstalled it, , there's more but i cant remember exactly what they were, all i know the system is back to its own HEALTHY State the way it was before i installed SP2.

I've come to the conclusion that WDZ and I are the only people who have never had a problem with SP2 .

Ontopic: I personally don't use the firewall, I didn't see a need for multiple. But when I did use it, it seemed to work as fine as ZoneAlarm :/

i dont or didnt need the firewall, so i turned it off as i use a  hardware Nat/router so no need for the windows firewall to be turned on,  but hey it still gave me issues, so go an Figure

I have sp2, and i have no issues, but my pc came with sp2 so that may have something to do with it

most new pc's now come with SP2 , but you should still have the option to uninstall it if it has problems,

quote:

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Originally posted by Ddunk
've come to the conclusion that WDZ and I are the only people who have never had a problem with SP2

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an how long have u had it on ya PC?.. few days?

sp2 works fine for me as i think it does for most normal users. if it didnt work for most people it wouldnt have been released like it. it works fine and the firewall is very good i find. before sp2 i didnt even use a firewall. but as it comes with windows i may as well use it.

as it comes with windows you may aswell as use it?.. bit dumb in saying that ey?  not like a firewall wasnt in XP from day 1 ,

{Off topic}
is it ok to use 2 firewalls like mcafee and windows firewall?

no its not , may aswell put a Grinade on ya Phoneline an when some1 hacks u it automatically pulls the Pin  .. having 2 firewalls isnt recommended , conflicts

I agree with WDZ. Windows' firewall works fine for me, always taking into account what the firewall was dessigned for.

yeah true, but not all  or a firewall from Goansoft works well , in some cases there beta ad-ware works well for some people, just not all, same with there firewall

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Originally posted by WDZ
WTF? I'm tempted to split that crappy post.

I installed SP2 and it's great. No problems at all. So keep your opinion to yourself unless you're willing to back it up with facts. 

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quote:

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Originally posted by chris100
{Off topic}
is it ok to use 2 firewalls like mcafee and windows firewall?

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quote:

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Originally posted by DJeX
SP2 is all junk! Installing SP2 is like installing a timebomb waiting to explode.

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quote:

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Originally posted by zaidgs
i tried this test today:
turn on windows firewall (i usually use norton internet security 2003)
dont allow an exception for msn messenger, and mirc
run msn messenger, and mirc
result: both connected through internet without a problem!!!!
thats not a typical firewall's case!!!!!
my question is how do u rate the window's firewall compared to other firewall, from the point view of both computer literate ppl and those who just want their work done. can we (at this point sp2) dump third-party firewall and rely on windows's firewall?? is it reliable??

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quote:

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Originally posted by WDZ
I installed SP2 and it's great

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• Mcafee Security Center
  
• Mcafee Virus Scan
  
• Personal Firewall Plus(NICE)
  
• Privacy Service(Useless and usefull for spyware/adware killing...)
  
• Spam Killer(Could be usefull if i used it)

quote:

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Originally posted by Demandred
i dont or didnt need the firewall, so i turned it off as i use a  hardware Nat/router so no need for the windows firewall to be turned on,  but hey it still gave me issues, so go an Figure

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quote:

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Originally posted by johny
I had problems...Serious...Explorer would crash when u open a explorer window or any icon......i just think it sucks LOL...
For security issues i use :

- Mcafee Internet Security :

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quote:

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Originally posted by Demandred
yeah i'll back it up for Djex.. i installed it few weeks ago, went fine but with 1 issue i had with it, it stopped completly my Antivirus from updating Automatically even if it was in the Allow list to do so, stil lwouldnt work, so i uninstalled it, , there's more but i cant remember exactly what they were, all i know the system is back to its own HEALTHY State the way it was before i installed SP2.

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Urmmm ya WDZ it's call freedom of speech. Any who... SP2 is junk because of the numerous problems it has caused people and my customers. I have my own computer repair business and since SP2 came out almost every computer I get now is suffering from SP2 syndrome. It's either slows your computer until it crashes, and or slows your internet or in some cases it will disable or cause problems with your anti virus that has already been installed and was working fine before. If you try and install it on an older computer, well lets just say not too much will run normal after that. It sucks your system resources down to almost nothing.

Microsoft has put to many "security" fixes in SP2 which in return kills your Windows or other programs. It’s like shredding your pants into bits and stapling them back together. First it’s going to hurt and seconded it wont hold to well and will cause problem in the future.

You don’t need SP2 to run the Windows firewall any way, the firewall comes with Windows XP. All’s you need to do is enable it. With SP2 it just gives you a nice little program to work it from. In my option SP2 is junk. The only way you may get it to work good is on new installations of Windows XP, that’s it! If SP2 is installed on a Windows that’s about a year old forget it, it will screw something up. It may be a minor glitch like your system clock disappearing or it may be a big problem like crashing your computer. I would recommend not installing it, but if you like to take chances. Go for it.

I use Norton, because I didn't trust Windows Firewall.

I tried using SP2, and Internet Explorer wouldn't go to Windows Update, and some other parts of Windows XP that depended on IE wouldn't work (like the account manager and such).

So I just uninstalled it and got other programs.

quote:

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Originally posted by zaidgs
i hate applying updates, or re-installing windows. back in the days of win98 reinstalling windows was OK, but nowadays reinstalling windows fucks up the computer, especially security programs like firewalls and antiviruses.
i applied sp2 as a fresh install after formatting my windows's partition, i got no problems so far!! (thats about a week ago)

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i dont understand much. i've had xp crash on me maybe a couple times since i've had it, and i've had it since the beginning. SP2 installed easy, no glitches.
linux or other such OS's have crashed on me multiple times, have had to reinstall it cause of errors a lot. Have had trouble installing it. so i donno. and i do like using a linux base system.
that said, i think the ppl who say that their windows crashes all the time are the people that just hate windows. so they say that to make it sound like the OS sucks.

and as for getting back on topic. I have my firewall disabled. I have zone alarm pro and im on a router. so i have no need for the firewall, and i dont want conflicts, so its disabled.

Well, when I'm playing BFV I geta firewall popup asking if I would like to permit or block Battlefield, but I seemed to fix that....I unnom, It's alright I guess, it's just kinda annoying

quote:

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Originally posted by Sam Spade
You should not depend on just a router/nat firewall. This is because any computers inside your network are unprotected; many viruses/malware are network aware and can spread from machine to machine, and share to share, if not blocked by firewalls on each individual machine.

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I have SP2 and have no problems...
I Have Windows Firewall on aswell as NIS 2004 Pro and my Hardware Router Firewall...

3?.. u must be what Paranoid, if u are, may aswell turn ya PC off

quote:

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Originally posted by Demandred
3?.. u must be what Paranoid, if u are, may aswell turn ya PC off

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quote:

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Originally posted by DJeX
If you try and install it on an older computer, well lets just say not too much will run normal after that.

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quote:

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Originally posted by DJeX
You don’t need SP2 to run the Windows firewall any way, the firewall comes with Windows XP. All’s you need to do is enable it.

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Here you go Choil http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winx...ain/enableicf.mspx

Explains how to enable it and configure it.

quote:

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Originally posted by Scone
I have SP2 and have no problems...
I Have Windows Firewall on aswell as NIS 2004 Pro and my Hardware Router Firewall...

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quote:

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Originally posted by Sam Spade
Do not depend on the Windows Firewall.  It is a 'stateful' firewall that only protects from *incoming, unsolicited* connections.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Choli
Wrong. The firewall comes only with the SP2 of WinXP. If not, tell me: how do you enable/configure it in, for example, Windows XP SP1?

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quote:

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Originally posted by zaidgs
what does 'stateful' mean ?!?!

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Gives basic protection thats it imo. I have used only 1 firewall all my life and that is zone alarm pro. It has done well all my life and i stick with it

i cant rememba who im replying to but i know this SP2 SUCKS!!!!!
i mean i got a netgear wireless network (54mbs) and it started up fine and then it cameup with a fatal error as soon as i took it out it worked fine, so i uninstalled sp2 and it worked fine!!!

and then i put it on another computer on my network useing the same type of card and IT CRASHED!!!


SP2 SUCKES!!!
BYEZ

ever since the other computer in this house got SP2 i can recive files anymore SP2

do what i did with SP2, leave it on ya bed an let ya cat Plonk its ass Mark on it   an then use it as a drink coaster