Using MS Firewall and/or Norton Firewall

I have Norton Internet Security which includes a firewall.
I also have the firewall from MS XP Home Pack 2.

Is it bad to have both firewalls "on"
I was once told (I think in PC Mag) that if you have a 3rd party FW on, then you have to turn MS XP firewall off.

Would like a definitive answer on this and cant find it in MS help.


Thanks
dave

 

I would not leave Microsoft in charge of what goes in and out of my computer.







I know things, things that could get me killed


Thinkpad T41:
* 1.6Ghz Pentium M * 768Mb Memory * 40Gb Hitachi 7200RPM * Panasonic UJ-845-B DVD+RW *

 

My MS firewall is turned off. I use the Norton Internet Security product.


Dell Inspiron 8600:
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* Apple 17" PowerBook G4 * 14" Toshiba Tecra 8000 * Apple 14" iBook G4 *

 

If you paid for Norton I would turn the MS firewall off, but I believe the MS firewall to be one of the most competent software firewalls on the market.

I don't mean to go off topic here, but I have seen zazonz state that he would not leave Microsoft in charge of what goes in and out in more than one topic now.

zazonz do you have any reason for this or do you just generally dislike/distrust microsoft? I mean you trust microsoft with every file on your computer if you are running a windows OS. Do you believe the firewall does not work as intended and that it leaves holes, or do you believe that Microsoft uses it to monitor your activity on the internet secretly betraying you to "The Man" or what?

Please don't take offense to the question, I am simply curious whether or not your recomendation has any real basis or is simply your preference.

 

Unless Microsoft has fixed their FW, I would not use it. I made this decision based on articles, such as one of the following:

www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,117380,00.asp

I rely on the Windows OS. However, I still believe in exercising a bit of prudence.

If I am incorrect in my assessment, please advise me. Perhaps Microsoft has resolved this issue.



Dell Inspiron 8600:
* 1.6 Ghz Pentium M * 1024 MB DDR SDRAM * 60 GB 7200 RPM HD * 15.4" WSXGA+ * Internal Bluetooth * Intel Pro/Wireless 2200 * 4x CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) * ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 Pro Turbo 128 MB * Win XP Pro SP2 *

* Apple 17" PowerBook G4 * 14" Toshiba Tecra 8000 * Apple 14" iBook G4 *

 

Based on that article, the behavior not liked by the reviewer is a policy to allow all outbound traffic. This is not a flaw in firewall design, it is the intended behavior of the firewall. Blocking outgoing traffic is useful only if your machine becomes compromised, and in that situation your virus scanner should detect the application causing the outbound traffic.

In my experience blocking outbound traffic is much more of a pain than it is worth. Blocking outbound traffic is not the point of a firewall, keeping bad traffic out in the first place is, and in that are the Microsoft firewall is as good as any application.

And as far as your belief in exercising prudence, it sounds like a good idea, I was not suggesting that we all blindly trust microsoft, just curious as to the reasoning behind a generic statement by zazonz that appreas as far as I can tell to simply be prejudice against Microsoft.

I wanted to know if it was preference, prejudice or infact and educated decision.

 

oops! okay, Knight, point well made. I read the thread, again. With regard to trusting Microsoft . . . Yes, we all must trust it, due to the simple fact that we allow Microsoft to handle all of our data . . . In a manner of speaking.

Dell Inspiron 8600:
* 1.6 Ghz Pentium M * 1024 MB DDR SDRAM * 60 GB 7200 RPM HD * 15.4" WSXGA+ * Internal Bluetooth * Intel Pro/Wireless 2200 * 4x CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) * ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 Pro Turbo 128 MB * Win XP Pro SP2 *

* Apple 17" PowerBook G4 * 14" Toshiba Tecra 8000 * Apple 14" iBook G4 *

 

I installed service pack two with the firewall like everyone. Every Non-Microsoft firewall I have used like Sygate, Tiny or ZoneAlarm has asked whether or not I wanted any system files out, Microsofts never did. It did not stop my Office apps from going out onto the internet. It tried to tell me when I was downloading Real Player, that Real Player was a threat and I should not download it. The purpose of a firewall is to stop objectionable traffic from coming and going. If it is letting its own software through by default, it is already flawed in my opinion and potentially risky. I think I should decide what is wanted or unwanted. Deeming a competing product a hazard seems dumb to me. No offense taken.







I know things, things that could get me killed


Thinkpad T41:
* 1.6Ghz Pentium M * 768Mb Memory * 40Gb Hitachi 7200RPM * Panasonic UJ-845-B DVD+RW *

 

I think that by default the security enhancements provided by SP2, warn you about all executable downloads, from webistes not in your trusted sites list, and those settings can be adjusted by editing your browser security settings.

The microsoft firewall should not stop any traffic from going out, and this behavior is by default as stated in my last post...
But your response is fair enough, thanks for humorning my curiocity.

 

I appreciate the answers but part of my question is what are the consequences if any of having firewalls doubled up. I am not trying to have "extra security" but noticed the MS one was on, when I thought it was off, and someone had once told me it screws up something to have them both running. I thought I had read that in PC Mag when the SP2 first came out.

 

well if you have two firewalls, you have to set two sets of rules to allow traffic, so neither firewall can do it's job as intended.

 

I have a question:
I have a Linksys Router with a built in Firewall. Prior to installation of this router, Zone Alarm would show me the number of attempts that was trying to access my computer. Now I get no notices of that. I am using Norton for my firewall. Is the Router good enough as a firewall?

Titanium...The metal of choice.


DV 1000
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512 MB RAM
80 GB 5400 HD
Brightview WXGA
Intel Wireless B/G
Linksys WRT54G Router
Comcast Cable Modem
Palm Tungsten C

 

Most Home Broadband Routers have basic firewalling fucntionality. At it's core a gateway firewall is a router, just a very secure and feature rich routher hopefully.

 

Andy2434,

Most use Microsoft OS because It's simply pre-install on most everything...
It has the most support and is most well known. However, make a GOOD OS this does not. XP must be restrained and tamed into being...'Ok' at best.
Ok...so now Microsoft is getting increased pressure to protect everyone.
Users from themselfs, and copyright owners from...uh...users...or TAKERS I mean.[ ]
"Hey...why not solve both problems at once!
The SP2 firewall could stop the bad stuff....whatever... AND send us back a tiny 'little' user Info file back! Will sell the data for even more profit...and I will become..... GOD! HaHaa HAHAAHAAHAa"- Gates?

Many would LOVE to pay to get their dirty little hands on this kind personal data easedroping. Think about it, RIAA, MPAA, local law enforcement, F.B.I. CIA, NSA...ect. and in a time of tight and shrinking budgets I bet Microsoft's quick and easy solution(like XP to us)is quite a bargin.

We have the power...and we CAN do it.....but, should we?
The rights of the Individual are in danger.
This is just plain wrong, but.... their rich. Money tends to bend laws and crush those without..and make things right....for them at least.
There's not a question If they are, have or not....but how long any of it will we allowed by....Us. They know most of 'the people' are sheep...so...

Do I trust Microsoft? Yes...but,to a point. I use their OS daily. SP2, Windows Updates and .net Passport...never. I'm not going to HELP them pinch me! so, they can keep on passing their silly little laws. The numbers for now, are simply against them.....that is until one day they pass......

"Trust No one Mr.Andy."[ ]- The XP-Files

 

So AdvidG you are saying that Microsoft uses the firewall to collect information that it later sells? I have heard this paranoid theory before, but I have never seen any justification for it.

I have heard that same claim about alot of pieces of Microsoft software, but I have never seen any facts to back it up, it's always been more of a theoretical... "Man with microsoft accesing my computer for windows updates, or firewall updates, or spyware removal/virus protection, imagine how much data they could gather with some mysterious hidden code."

Yea they could, there is no question, but do they?
If you have a link or any evidence that they do by all means please post it, I would like to be aware of such a thing.