Firewall question

My WinXP Pro SP2 pc is conncected to a wireless modem/router (hardware firewall). The only software firewall I use is Windows Firewall. We also have a MacPro laptop that uses that same modem/router.

For the first time ever, I ran ShieldsUP! on my XP. All tested ports were diagnosed as stealthed, but the test failed because of system ping. Same test using the MacPro and the ping test passed.

I'm not too knowledgeable about this issue and have been trying to figure out what setting to change in Windows Firewall on my XP to fix the ping issue. Taking a guess, I went to Windows Firewall > Advanced tab > ICMP Settings and unchecked Allow incoming echo request. In fact, every entry listed in the Exceptions and Advanced tabs is unchecked. But, the XP still fails the ShieldsUP! ping test.

If the MacPro passes the ping test using the same modem/router, I'm guessing there must be a setting I can change on the XP. Any ideas?

 

Thanks for the quick response. I tried increasing the modem/router's firewall setting, and doing so did resolve the XP ping issue, but the setting change messed up the MacPro's ability to interact with a server for work-related tasks and it became too complicated to try to customize.

I have looked at the sticky at MajorGeeks about protection steps to take. My AV is well-regarded and up-to-date, I have two antispyware programs (scan only) that I run a couple of times a week, and I try to be careful where I go on the web. If my ports are stealthed, as indicated by ShieldsUP!, then can you think of any other steps I can take to mitigate the "penetrating" issue you cite?

 

Much thanks.