Lost_Warrior said:
Thats strange considering the fact that the Windows XP firewall was not even out for 5 years. It was released with Service Pack 2 which was released in 2004.
ICF was availible in the first release of XP (2001)... you just actually had to go and turn it on yourself before SP2 (SP2 it was turned on automatically, renamed "Windows Firewall", and given a prettier interface).
Windows XP itself hasn't even been out for 5 years.
Google "Windows XP Release Date"... no not five years, but almost five years.
On a side note, I administer a network of many computers
and the first thing we do when we image one of our desktops is get rid of the SP2 firewall and replace it with something that is not a piece of junk...
Great! You hopefully have a basic understanding of networking principles, and what services need access to the internet, and what don't..... you're average user has no such clue. I can't even remember the number of times a user has come in complaining of a lost internet connection, and it's because they've done something not so good with their norton, zone alarm, etc. etc.
Not looking for a fight here mac, I just suggested that a user who obviously does not have a firm grasp of the subject matter (not a dig against you ShaBoing, but it didn't seem as though you were Network+ certified or something along the lines) use a proven, user friendly, and widely accepted tool, which, when used in conjunction with other user friendly tools (such as updates, anti-virus, anti-spyware/addware, and a router with DNAT, SPI, port blocking, etc.,) and a hint of common sense when browsing can provide a layman with an acceptable level of protection without causing them more grief than is necessary. As i said, yes, Zone Alarm is better, in fact I use Zone Alarm on my home machines... but that has little to do with my reasoning.