Just got a new HP Pc and this is my first experience with XP. The OS has a built in firewall, and I installed ZoneAlarm Pro,also. Do I need both?
I now understand why XP has a bad rep. I never had all these issues with 98se. It has been a miserable 24 hours since I've started configuring this new machine. Java won't work, browser cookie setups are a crapshoot, what a mess. I am in for a steep learning curve.

One firewall is all you need & ZA is far superior. XP is only incoming for starters & is not nearly as configurable. Turn off the XP wall in the Security Center or under Network Connections > Properties > Advanced. (Pro)

Do you have Home or Pro?

Have you downloaded JAVA or are you using microsoft's virtual machine?

Cookies are between your browser & firewall mostly; not really XP.

Feel free to ask questions in the XP area. I, myself, think it is a great OS.

I have XP Home. And ZoneAlarm Pro. I am pretty sure I have MS's firewall turned off, and rooting around on the forums here (lots of good info here, you guys are great), I think I have a handle on my cookie settings.

I read the post that detailed removing MS's Virtual machine, and as soon as I regain some of my patience, I am going to see if that is the problem. I installed Java from the Java website. So I may have a conflict.

Funny thing is I been fooling with computer products since I was a Lad of 10. (1980!) and I ALWAYS learn new things. Even if it does drive me batty sometimes....

I found today I could no longer update my ZAP, so off it went, and in went Sygate. And AVG antivirus.
Oh boy more learning curve.

Thanks Y'all.



Keith

zone alarm as well as sygate & outpost (my favorite)
have both pro (pay) & free versions. dont download the free pro trial (which will expire) but navigate to the free version.


...

I got the free one up and installed. I did Sygate's firewall tester and it seems I am not as protected as I was with Zonealarm. Either that or I have something configured wrong. All the port scans came back stealthed, but the tcp/ip was wide open. Not what I was expecting. Should it be?
And for some reason when you lock Sygate down it still lets a minute amount of traffic in. Is that normal? I expected it to be LOCKED. NOTHING in or out. But a 1k trickle of data is always coming in...

You guys are great, thanks for all the help and opinions!!!

here is another "tester"

http://www.pcflank.com/test.htm

try the quick test as well as the stealth test

Outpost is fully stealth in tcp/ip

I do have referers blocked (not sure if that makes a difference)



...

The first two checks came back safe, then I got this. Is this a Cookie problem or is sygate Firewall not Firewalling correctly?





Browser privacy check
The test checked if your web browser reveals any private information while you visit Web sites. Usually such information is: the last site visited, your locale and who your Internet Service Provider is.

Danger!
While visiting web sites your browser reveals private information about you and your computer. It sends information about previous sites you have visited. It may also save special cookies on your hard drive that have the purpose of directing advertising or finding out your habits while web surfing.


Recommendation:
We advise you to get personal firewall software. If you already have a firewall program adjust it to block the distribution of such information.




It passed the advanced test too. So what is the deal with the web blocking??


Keith

I know ZA is very good and so is the XP one but you really need a dedicated firewall/spyware/anti virus software bundle. Go out and buy a good one, trust me its a very good investment.