[rmitch41]

Hello, I have earthlink dial-up and I windows xp- with SP2! Anyway I was wanting to set up a firewall through windows and when I hit setting, I get this message "Due to an unidentified problem, Windows cannot display Windows Firewall settings." Can someone please help me? I got one of those new W32 worm type virus the other nite and found out that it can be used to allow someone to take over my computer! I also read that besides having a up to date virus protector, I also need to put up a firewall to prevent intruders! So now Im really scared, because this happen with the firewall in windows! I ran all the clean up for the virus "twice" and ran a full virus check on my computer and everything is clear now! But I still get that message when tring to set up a firewall! Is this normal or is there some other way to setup a windows firewall or does this mean I already have a firewall up?

 

[LuminosXI]

you could try getting a hardware firewall ( i.e. a router or hub with a firewall built in ) or you could try a third party firewall like norton or something. another solution is to re-install SP2 that might solve the problem.

 

[rmitch41]

Thanks, I will give it a try!

 

[petercj]

Are you sure you have cleaned off all traces of the infection?

Have a read here:-
http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/default5.asp?VName=WORM_MSBLAST.A

Also try checking your windows core files to see if any are missing or damaged: with your XP CD in a drive go to Start>Run and type sfc /scannow>press Enter key ... allow the scanner to run through your files - it will just disappear when done.

Getting a hardware firewall is a good idea but you do need to sort your current installation of windows out to ensure that nothing is lurking within.

If you are unable to clean windows by your own efforts you could do a clean and full install of windows or ask the security team for some help:-
http://www.techsupportforum.com/showthread.php?t=15968

If you need to post a High-Jack-This log please do that on the HJT Help board and not this one.

There are some good free software firewalls around:-
http://www.snapfiles.com/freeware/security/fwfirewall.html

Zone Alarm is well spoken of.

Peter