SP2

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Mike wrote:
> I have just finished loading SP2 and want to know if I should keep my
> firewall (zone alarm) and anti-virus (avast) or use Microsoft
> antivirus and firewall. Which would be better?

Publicly Microsoft has no AntiVirus at this time.

Publicly - Microsoft has only BETA AntiSpyware.. (BETA means "in testing
stages".)

Microsoft's Firewall is okay - for those interested in only keeping things
out and not detecting things they installed trying to get out.. As well as
for those who may not fully understand (or care to) the proper configuration
of a third party firewall.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Mike wrote:

> I have just finished loading SP2 and want to know if I should keep my
> firewall (zone alarm) and anti-virus (avast) or use Microsoft
> antivirus and firewall. Which would be better?



First of all, regarding Avast, you have no choice to use Microsoft
antivirus, because there is no Microsoft anti-virus, neither in SP2 nor
before it. Avast is a good choice and I would stay with it.

Regarding the firewall, the XP firewall monitors incoming traffic, but does
nothing to stop spyware programs trying to call home. It also is much less
configurable than other choices (although it's much improved in SP2). For
those reasons I recommend the free version of ZoneAlarm instead.

--
Ken Blake
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Mike wrote:

> Thanks for the info. It helped.


You're welcome, Mike. Glad to help.

--
Ken Blake
Please Reply to the Newsgroup


>> Mike wrote:
>>
>>> I have just finished loading SP2 and want to know if I should keep
>>> my firewall (zone alarm) and anti-virus (avast) or use Microsoft
>>> antivirus and firewall. Which would be better?
>>
>>
>>
>> First of all, regarding Avast, you have no choice to use Microsoft
>> antivirus, because there is no Microsoft anti-virus, neither in SP2
>> nor before it. Avast is a good choice and I would stay with it.
>>
>> Regarding the firewall, the XP firewall monitors incoming traffic,
>> but does nothing to stop spyware programs trying to call home. It
>> also is much less configurable than other choices (although it's
>> much improved in SP2). For those reasons I recommend the free
>> version of ZoneAlarm instead.
>>
>> --
>> Ken Blake
>> Please Reply to the Newsgroup