XP SP2 Firewall

[bjb101]

is the win xp sp2 firewall efficient enough or should i consider downloading a personal firewall such as a zonealrm, etc. ??

[Ob1]

xp sp2 firewall is sufficient.

[glc]

I would recommend a router if you are using broadband - the SP2 firewall is plenty good behind that - and plenty good for dialup.

[cmillar6]

xp sp2 firewall is sufficient.

not really true, the Windows XP sp2 firewall fails to provide outbound protection. Microsoft realized this limitation and upgraded to the firewall in Windows Vista to feature outbound filtering. If you do happen to become infected with malware, spyware, whatever you want to call it, they tend to call home and invite their little friends in, compounding the problem. A software firewall would prevent this. The choice is yours.