[Stephen47]

I ran Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer. I said XP firewall was disabled. I know, by checking services, that it is indeed running. Who is right, me or Microsoft?

[Byteman]

Hi,

If you have XP with Service Pack 2, check in Control Panel, open the Security Center...see if XP's firewall is Enabled or not. If you have a 3rd party firewall, it may be Disabled....and it should be if you are using any other good firewall such as in an Internet Security suite or standalone firewall.

(The XP firewall is sometimes automatically disabled when installing 3rd party firewalls. The XP firewall can also be turned off, whether using any other firewall, or not.)

[Stephen47]

It was disabled in security center. How come in services it is set as automatic start and doesn't?

[Byteman]

Hi,

The Service is probably set as an Automatic type for startup, means that it runs even if no one is logged on as a user....the service will be running, even though the firewall is not yet. And, since the function of the firewall can be turned off, as is true for many programs....the service must stay set to Automatic and is running....that is so it can be available the instant the program is re-enabled. The Service is not the same as the firewall, only a special part of the firewall.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1759 <<easy to understand