The Windows-XP Firewall Feature... Do I Need It?

arwalden

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Mar-24-05 11:17 AM
Original message

The Windows-XP Firewall Feature... Do I Need It?

MY Windows XP workstation accesses the Internet through a networked proxy server using NAT (I think that's the correct way to describe it).

Since the proxy server controls who gets in and out and which sockets are open and which sockets are invisible... it's acting as a de-facto firewall, correct? --- If so, do I need to have the XP firewall features enabled as well?

Whenever the XP firewall is enabled, it interferes with my FTP client, so I'm constantly disabling the firewall just so that I can use FTP... I'd like to be able to just LEAVE it off... but I'm too paranoid.

Is it safe?

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

nothingshocksmeanymore

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Mar-24-05 11:18 AM
Response to Original message

1. If you have the XP II service pack, you are better off using their

firewall...too many firewalls can cause your service provider not to recognize your computer

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

_TJ_

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Mar-24-05 11:21 AM
Response to Original message

2. It shouldn't be needed

Just run a good AV to keep out the trojans/viruses etc.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

interupt

(164 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Mar-24-05 11:24 AM
Response to Original message

3. If you are at work...

You are most likely passing through;

A firewall
A software Filter
A network analyzer
A DMZ (De-militarized Zone)
A configured router (hopefully)

Im sure you can disable the SP2 firewall. Hey who cares if the company is hacked...its the sys admin or the security expert who gets fired.

unless you are routing Messenger or ICQ through port 80 and screwing up everyone elses traffic

:)

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Iterate

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Mar-24-05 06:31 PM
Response to Original message

4. Not necessary at that point

Sounds like you're behind at least two firewalls already. Extra firewalls inside a domain can cause problems and add little if any security. The XP SP2 firewall is one of the few that can be a good citizen when used like that, but if it was really needed the admin would have set up a group policy to automatically keep it on, configure it, and keep a user from turning it off. There's no reason for them to spend extra time messing with one workstation at a time.

So turn it off, rest easy, and enjoy all of that extra time you'll have.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Tue May 07th 2024, 05:22 PM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.