[bellybutton]

i recently got road runner cable internet, which came with CA security. i am having problems with some pages not loading at all, or partially loading. my computer also freezes up a lot or crashes. i am using windows xp & firefox browser. both the windows firewall & the CA personal firewall are enabled. i believe i should disable either the windows firewall or the CA firewall, but i don't know which one i should disable. i have tried lowering the level of security on CA, but there are still problems. does anyone know which firewall i should be using?

[hulkinator]

Welcome to TSG!

The Windows firewall isn't very good at all. MS security software is pretty worthless.

I'd disable the Windows firewall first and see how the CA one does for you. If you still have problems then switch. I doubt the Windows firewall will give you the freeze ups, but it is not as secure.

However, if you connect to a router instead of directly to your cable modem, you can think about running no software firewall at all. Most routers (and send us the model number of yours if you like and we will tell you more about it) have a built-in firewall that is often pretty effective. I have Vista SP2 and a D-Link router and I've never gotten an infection despite running no AV or firewall at all (not recommended; just trying to show the power of a decent hardware firewall).

Hope this helps!

[flavallee]

bellybutton:

I have RoadRunner cable and refuse to use CA Internet Security Suite that my ISP provides for free for its customers. It's hungry on system resources, it gets low ratings, and I've personally seen it trash some computers. I suggest that you uninstall the entire suite and use something else.

I use the built-in Windows XP firewall in conjunction with a Linksys router. I don't use a third-party firewall at all.

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[perfume]

Dear flavallee,
"Surprises never cease"! I am just making an observation and nothing more and nothing less! I personally feel that you must have configured the Linksys router very well, because depending on only the default XP firewall is "iffy"!The only query i have for you is "why no third party firewall" (not the CA)?

[flavallee]

perfume:

I've never had a need for a third-party firewall, and some of them(like ZoneAlarm) are more trouble than they're worth.

It's all a matter of personal choice. Some here swear by them, and others here share my opinion.

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[Gizzy]

Originally Posted by perfume

Dear flavallee,
"Surprises never cease"! I am just making an observation and nothing more and nothing less! I personally feel that you must have configured the Linksys router very well, because depending on only the default XP firewall is "iffy"!The only query i have for you is "why no third party firewall" (not the CA)?

Originally Posted by flavallee

perfume:

I've never had a need for a third-party firewall, and some of them(like ZoneAlarm) are more trouble than they're worth.

It's all a matter of personal choice. Some here swear by them, and others here share my opinion.

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It depends if you want an outbound firewall or not, The windows firewall in XP doesn't have outbound protection.

Some people like to have the outbound protection as the last line of defense, So if malware gets on your computer you can still stop it from connecting out.

But on the other hand some people prefer to just not let any malware on their computer in the first place, and if malware gets on their computer then they feel that they or their security setup has already failed.

For me I just like the HIPS that third party firewalls offer these days.

[perfume]

Dear Gizzy,
I am with you on having bi-directional protection! Well, the firewall in KIS2009 does not have HIPS and i can live with that! Malware IS malware and i don't want it on my PC! Layered protection is there for that purpose,isn't it?

[perfume]

Originally Posted by bellybutton

i recently got road runner cable internet, which came with CA security. i am having problems with some pages not loading at all, or partially loading. my computer also freezes up a lot or crashes. i am using windows xp & firefox browser. both the windows firewall & the CA personal firewall are enabled. i believe i should disable either the windows firewall or the CA firewall, but i don't know which one i should disable. i have tried lowering the level of security on CA, but there are still problems. does anyone know which firewall i should be using?

Dear bellybutton,
Since you are already behind a Router hardware firewall, switch off the Windows firewall and watch whether the problems you are facing are not repeating! The third party firewall--->Online Armor is well regarded here and you "may" down load and install from : http://www.tallemu.com/free-firewall...-software.html

Before you decide to install Online-Armor, remove the CA firewall and turn off the Windows firewall! Best Wishes!

PS: Kindly post what are the computer specifications and the security software you have on your PC. That will allow us all to help you better!

[bellybutton]

i am really sorry, guys~i'm trying to follow all this. i disabled the CA firewall & left the windows on. this DID fix ALL the problems i was having. now i'm afraid i don't have enough protection! i have used AVG free for years now, i don't think it has firewall. i have never had any problems before this new CA security stuff. i looked at the online armor free, and i'm not sure if this is what i should do. this is all pretty complicated to me. i'm sorry ~ i guess i'm not as savvy as i thought i was...

[lunarlander]

hi bellybutton,

the Windows XP firewall blocks direct attacks comming in from the internet, but allows any program on board your computer to connect out to the internet . This is fine, if you know all your programs should be allowed to connect out. Like if you have Internet Explorer and an FTP program, for instance, they both should be allowed to connect out and fetch web pages and download stuff. The problem is when you unknowingly got infected with malware, and that malware then trys to contact it's central control server. Then having no outbound firewall control is a problem. Some people think that stopping malware is the job of an antivirus/anti-malware program, and they are ok with the firewall just stopping inbound attacks. But, no antivirus program is perfect, and your chosen antivirus product may not stop THIS particular malware that is infecting you. Then, if your firewall gives you control over which programs are allowed outbound, then you might CONTAIN the damage by the malware. Especially nowadays, when malware steals banking username and passwords and other personal stuff. When your firewall blocks unknown programs ( including the malware ) from connecting out and sending your private passwords back to it's server, you are still protected, in a sense.

Back to your situation. I would try disabling the Windows firewall and re-enabling CA's firewall and see if your problem persists. You already know how to do this, so all it takes is a quick test to see if you have the same problem with the web sites which you know are problematic.