Post 1195

by billso on Friday, 9 July 2004

Tech: Brian’s Buzz renamed Windows Secrets Newsletter: Windows XP Service Pack 2 is coming, including a new Windows Firewall program. Any cable modem or DSL user should also have a good hardware firewall. “The basic problem with Windows Firewall is that it’s only half a solution. Unlike most third party firewalls - and unlike Microsoft’s enterprise-ready solution, Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server - Windows Firewall only protects against inbound network traffic. That means it does nothing to prevent adware or spyware that’s gotten into your system from ‘phoning home’ or initiating communications with remote Internet services and Web sites. You might think this isn’t a problem. Think again: Even though Windows Firewall can prevent many types of network-based attacks, it can’t protect you against that most basic of security problems, the human being sitting in front of the PC.”