ever considered what can happen on a LAN or WLAN if one computer gets infected and there isn't a software firewall running on the individual hosts?A LAN or a WLAN don't actually send data between the clients without requesting them. Infected clients in my network don't make my Windows more insecure. Still talking about nonsense?-f0dder (January 04, 2010, 05:48 PM)
The Windows Firewall is a firewallWrong, because:-f0dder (January 04, 2010, 05:48 PM)
A firewall's main purpose is preventing access to the computer, not preventing the computer from reaching outYou can not protect a machine from unauthorized access when running a prevention system on it!-f0dder (January 04, 2010, 05:48 PM)
but iirc a limited user account on XP can't modify firewall rules, and on Vista/Win7 you get an UAC prompt?People who use limited accounts and/or the UAC prompt will, like, never have serious system failures caused by malware. They just don't need any extra protection anyway.-f0dder (January 04, 2010, 05:48 PM)
Oh, I almost forgot: you've already spouted this nonsen.I was right.-f0dder (January 04, 2010, 05:48 PM)
Whether or not it can be bypassed, as can ANY firewall or software is not a valid point when determining its usefulness.Of course it is. Security software that can be bypassed simply doesn't protect you. Period.-y0himba (January 04, 2010, 05:30 PM)
If you need at least one reason why, it HELPS prevent problems.How?-y0himba (January 04, 2010, 05:30 PM)
and have found that the Windows firewall, even though it started simple, added an easy to use, unobtrusive layer of protection and sense of security.Placebo effect?-y0himba (January 04, 2010, 05:30 PM)
From what I have seen above, you have given us nothing but the usual "I hate Windows/Microsoft" diatribe, which always comes with no hard evidence, just empty statements on how useless or horrible MS and it's software is.I am a proud Windows user. You won't get me this way.-y0himba (January 04, 2010, 05:30 PM)
Windows firewall routinely prompts me when a new program attempts to establish a connection.If this prompt is not clicked away automatically (or the malware even installs a rule there), you'll still have to consider that explorer.exe is not explorer.exe, right?-Josh (January 04, 2010, 05:29 PM)
You see?2. It is not that hard to write a script which automatically clicks "Allow".
And this can be done with just about ANY firewall application...-Josh (January 04, 2010, 05:02 PM)
if you install something bad, then chances are your firewall is the last thing you need to worry about.Indeed. So again: What is your reason to call the Windows Firewall "useful"? For what purpose?-Josh (January 04, 2010, 05:02 PM)