Windows XP SP2 Firewall, Is it worth it?

Hi, I recently upgraded my OS to XP SP2 and am wondering if the new Windows Firewall/Internet security is any good?

I have a Compaq Presario 5XPSE1 and here is the sys info from NSW 2003 utility:

* System Summary *
********************

Processor: GenuineIntel Family 15 Model 1 1.6 GHz Stepping 2
Math Support: Present
BIOS: COMPAQ - 20011203 686Y2 v2.06, 12/03/01
Bus Type: PCI, ISA, USB
Ports: 1 Parallel, 3 Serial
Memory: 512 MB (30% Utilized)
Floppy Disks: 1.44 MB
Hard Disks: 37.27 GB
Multimedia: Sound, CD-ROM
Video: 800 x 600 in 64K Colors, NVIDIA Vanta (Compaq) Ver. 5.13

< Operating System >
Windows: 5.1 (Build 2600)
Net Clients:
Microsoft Terminal Services
Microsoft Windows Network
Web Client Network

In the past, I have used NPF 2003 for firewall protection but recently uninstalled it trying to fix another problem. It didn't fix my other problem, but now I'm wondering whether I should re-instal the NPF 2003 on my system.

I have done this before but it is a colossal pain in the butt because I only have dial-up access to the internet and it would take forever to get the NPF back up to date. I was considering upgrading my NSW 2003 and NPF 2003 to their 2005 equivalents but from the user opinions I have read, that would be akin to computer suicide. Symantec doesn't support the 2003 applications anymore but as long as they let me keep updating my yearly subscription, I don't care.

Should I re-install or not?

- Thanks for your help!

 

It works for me.

Does not provide any outbound protection, however.

 

You should definatley look into a software firewall other than the XP firewall. I use the XP firewall as well but I also use a third party firewall program. Like Adrynalyne said, the XP firewall "Does not provide any outbound protection, however."

 

I experienced that the XP firewall slowed down transfers a lot, msn transfers became impossible. So I recommend a separate firewall and that you disable XP's firewall.

 

Hmmm, I've never experienced that and I use it behind a hardware firewall built into my dsl modem. In fact IIRC, by default, it doesn't block MSN messenger, or any other Microsoft application.

I've found that 3rd party firewalls slow down the system in general, and if you keep your system clean, you do not need outbound protection.

It just makes things more complicated, and if you don't know what you are doing, you can break your net connection.

Main causes for people who can no longer browse the internet and call MS:

Spyware, worms, and firewalls.

Not necessarily in that order, either.

If, however, you can't keep your system clean or don't feel comfortable with it, then yes, by all means, go 3rd party firewall.

 

I have used Zonelabs Zone Alarm and found that most Novice users are over whelmed by the complexity of the settings. I have also used Sygates Personal firewall and it has both inbound and outbound capabilities. But again the complexities of the settings in depth can be overwhelming to the novice. However it(sygate) is the best I have seen yet.
Side note I agree with Adrynalyne in that the more clean you keep your system the better off you are anyway. I have reverted back to the Windows XP firewall for a couple of reasons. I have several connections and want to control what happens on each one seperately and it is not just an application firewall like some of the others. Does that help?

 

I've tested this on many occasions. I have friends in so many countries that I only have contact with on msn, and we exchange files all the time, large and small. We really put the XP firewall to test, many times, and with either of us having the XP firewall turned on, transfer was impossibly slow, even though we are all on broadband. Slower than transfer rate on a modem actually. A small photo (less than 200 k) could take up to 3-5 minutes. With the XP firewall off, transfers are much faster, regardless of what other firewall we have, some have ZA, most of us have Norton, someone has a hardware firewall I think...

And the server I have refused to work with the XP firewall, and I never found the settings to allow it... lol guess I could have spent more time trying to tweak it, but when something else worked better from get go, I couldn't be bothered.

Some of the students at school have borrowed laptops with the xp firewall set so you can't disable it, and one of my students complained about that, because it made msn so slow. So it isn't just me...

Maybe it is a swedish thing!

 

Its not a swedish thing, its a, "behind a router as well" issue

If two computers are behind a router and transferring files there is a bug in Messenger that drops the transfer rate to nothing.

I've transfer stuff all day long between me and another friend that is in Canada. We've both use Messenger 6.2 or 7.0. We both ahs Sp2 and the firewall up.

Only I am behind a router, however.

 

But I'm not!

The only thing between the network card and the cable connector in the wall is a cable modem and a hub.

And that is there even when behind other firewalls!

I think one of my friends is behind a router, the others aren't...