Do I need a Firewall from McAfee?

JEANLOUISE,

Welcome to the Dell Community Forum (DCF).

1. Does this system already have a firewall?
Yes. The McAfee Firewall software

2. Do we need the firewall from McAfee?
Yes. The Internet can be a dangerous place, with hackers using eavesdropping tools to monitor your PC, employing malicious code to initiate disabling attacks, or running remote control programs that seize control of your PC. A
firewall places a barrier between the Internet and your PC, helping to block hackers from accessing your computer and allowing you to digitally 'fingerprint' trusted applications

No. You don't have to use McAfee. There are other firewall programs

WindowsXP does have a basic built in firewall. Microsoft tells you how to turn it on here.

The built in firewall protects only inbound and not outbound traffic, but as long as you practice general safe computing habits, that is enough. WindowsXP Service Pack 2 (SP2) is due out soon and will include improvements in the firewall.

Turn off the McAfee firewall after you turn this one on. Two software firewalls running at the same time may give you some strange behavior.

If you want to go with a third party firewall, ZoneAlarm from Zone Labs has a good reputation.

The instructions do not work on my computer (2400). I go to the internet connections and click on AOL.  When I click on make changes to settings nothing happens. AOL referenced me back to Dell. Help?

Capt Tom

OK.  Thank you.  I understand that I need a firewall.  However, I'm still confused about the one that came with this computer. It sounds like one of you is saying that the one that came with the computer is satisfactory, if I use 'safe' computing. (I'm not sure what that means.) and the other one is saying I need to have a purchased firewall.  But, I'm not supposed to run them both at once...so why have the one that came with the computer?

I guess all I really want to know is....we have a subscription with McAfee, and have been very happy with it.  It's time to renew the Personal Firewall Plus.  Is it in my best interest to renew that subscription and keep the firewall that came with my Dell turned off?

Sorry I'm so dense, but this is all new to me.

Thank you.

Instructions on my website - link below - firewalls section.

Also so suggestions for firewalls and other security programs.

If you are happy with McAfee, then staying with them may be the best solution.

Safe computing can be defined in many ways. TrendMicro has this to say. I also found an interesting article here.

A google search for "Safe Computing" will bring up many more sites with varied suggestions.

Thanks for all your help and suggestions.  We're keeping the McAfee firewall.