BML

I have been using a computer for nearly 20 years but I have always been to “busy” to really attempt to understand them. I know that I need a Firewall and an Anti Virus and I have always assumed that if I have an anti Virus by definition it must block viruses therefore it is also a Firewall.

I know that I have the AVG 7.5 Anti Virus program and I know that it works because it tells me when it has identified a threat. However, the thought crossed my mind that if I do have a Firewall it can't be working that well to let a threat get through as far as my Anti Virus.

The level of my expertise does not go as far as knowing if I actually do have a Firewall at all although I assumed that it was built into Windows XP so could you please tel me how to check if I do have a Firewall?

Would you please comment on this?

POADB

Hi BML,

In answer to your subject question - No.

But you're correct in your comment that a firewall should presumably stop the 'threat' reaching your system.

Microsoft didn't introduce a firewall to it's OS until Service Pack 2, where they integrated the Security Centre to inform you about Automatic Updates configuration, Anti-Virus definition version and of course a desktop firewall.

You can find the firewall by going to Start > Run and type: WSCUI.CPL, and click OK.

However, it's the opinion of many a security analyst that Windows XP's firewall is simply not enough. Different types of malware have the ability to edit the registry and disable the windows firewall - and therefore we always recommend a 3rd party firewall, such as Zone Alarm.

Having such a firewall installed would have given you peace of mind, as you would have definitely seen it working as it sits in the system tray and notifies you of activity such as blocked ping requests and files trying to access the Internet.

See here for more information:

PC Safety and Security--What Do I Need?

BML

I'm afraid that I live in a bit of a time warp because when I was working I had a secretary to cover for the fact that my spelling was, and still is atrocious. If I had to give thanks for anything in this world of computers it would be for the Spell Check. There was also always an IT person about when I made a mess of the computer. Now I am no longer gainfully employed and I have to think for myself so this forum is a boon.

Search as hard as I could the Fire Wall evaded me until I used "Help" which pointed me towards the Control Panel and there I found the Security Centre and from there it was easy. This just goes to show that it’s worth playing around with the computer using what I refer to as, "intuitive logic".

Now it’s just a question of working through some of the items on the forum to decide what Fire Wall to replace the Windows one if the forum sugests that there is a better one available. Then I will move on within the forum looking at the information that will help me to decide which Anti Virus program to use.
So, many thanks for the help.

POADB

You're welcome.

BML

I keyed ZONEALARM into the Web and an article came up from VNUNET.COM stating, "Hundreds of thousands of ZoneAlarm firewall users have been locked out of the internet by Microsoft's latest round of software updates."
Has this problem been resolved?

Glaswegian

Yes it has. I use ZA and all my MS & ZA patches are up to date. I have no connection problems.