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Navigating the firewall puzzle
Q. Microsoft will be sending an update shortly with an enhanced
firewall. I am currently using the ZoneAlarm firewall. I know you
don't want to run both. Which will be the better one to use?
A. Your last question is the most important, in my opinion. A good
firewall is essential today. You don't want to place yourself at
risk unknowingly.
As you imply in your question, Windows XP already contains a
firewall. And like ZoneAlarm, it hides the computer from probes
used by hackers. The firewall makes the communications ports in
Windows unreachable, so the probes do not get an answer when they
attempt to ping your computer.
However, a good firewall also does not allow a program to
communicate with the Internet without your permission. This is
important in case someone places a malicious program on your
computer. ZoneAlarm stops such communications; the Windows
firewall does not.
The Windows XP update to which you refer, Service Pack 2, upgrades the
XP firewall to stop such communications. At least, that is the goal.
I have been told by one competitor that it does not work well. That
could just be wishful thinking. But until I am sure that the XP
firewall works well, I will stick with ZoneAlarm.
The improved XP firewall will certainly be tested after its release.
I expect to see that information on the Web. Assuming the result
is positive, I may switch to the Windows firewall.
I say "may" because ZoneAlarm is difficult to fault. It's free, and
it works well. What more can we ask?
7/5/04 -Copyright C 2004 WestStar TalkRadio Network. Reprinted with permission. No further republication or redistribution is permitted without the written consent of WestStar TalkRadio Network.
