Is there any other way to enable I.C.F other than through the Advanced
Tab? If not how can I view the Advanced Tab, besides restoring it? |
Request for Question Clarification by
aht-ga
on
20 Dec 2003 23:11 PST
treesome-ga:
Are you logged into the computer as an administrative user? Only an
administrative user can enable/disable the ICF. If you are using an
admin account, do you happen to know how the Advanced tab was removed
from the Properties of the appropriate connection icon?
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Clarification of Question by
treesome-ga
on
21 Dec 2003 09:57 PST
aht-ga
Yes I am logged on as administative user, and no I don't know how the
Advanced Tab will not display any information. (I think my teenagers
might have done it) It seems to be locked.
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Request for Question Clarification by
aht-ga
on
21 Dec 2003 11:25 PST
To make sure I have this clear, does that mean that the Advanced Tab
is present on the Properties window for the network connection, but
does not display the check-box and text for the Internet Connection
Firewall option?
Sorry for asking for this much clarification, it's just that the ICF
option is integrated into the operating system, meaning that it should
not be possible to uninstall it. However, if the user profile is no
longer an administrator, then the option will be greyed out,
preventing the user from changing it. It is also possible that somehow
a maliscious program has managed to bypass the many-layered security
of XP, and deleted the necessary files from both your installed XP
folder, and the automated System Restore folder. This is extremely
difficult to do if the ICF was previously active.
Another way to cause the ICF to appear to be unavailable would be in
the network connection was uninstalled, and reinstalled using the
Network Connection Wizard but not using the option "This computer
connects directly to the Internet".
There is no definitive key in the Registry used to activate or
deactive the ICF; part of the security built into XP is to make this
available only through the programming interface, through the function
INetSharingConfiguration::EnableInternetFirewall.
Have you considered using a third-party firewall that is better than
the ICF instead? It may be easier, and less painful for you to do
this. If you would consider this, then I can provide you with links
and instructions for several firewall programs that are free for home
use.
Failing this, we can continue to experiment by uninstalling your
network connection, and reinstalling it through the Network Connection
Wizard while ensuring that you use the correct option.
Finally, just out of curiosity... do you have a cable or DSL router
with built-in firewall capabilities already?
Regards,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher
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Clarification of Question by
treesome-ga
on
21 Dec 2003 12:23 PST
aht-ga
Yes the Avanced Tab is present on the properties window for the
network connection, but does not display the check-box and text for
the Internet Connection Firewall option.
I would appreciate your help in using the third-party firwall, as I am new to this.
I think I have a cable, I don't really know.
Thank you for taking the time to help me. I really appreciate it.
treesome-ga
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Request for Question Clarification by
aht-ga
on
21 Dec 2003 14:49 PST
treesome-ga:
I will post this in the Question Clarification section as I wish to
give you the opportunity to try it out before accepting it as the
final Answer. If this works for you, please let me know so that I can
post it as the Answer.
As it seems the goal here is to protect the PC in any way possible,
please download one of the following 3rd party firewall programs. I
have listed them in the order of my personal preference:
Zone Alarm (Free Version)
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp?lid=zadb_zadown
(use the "Download FREE ZoneAlarm" link, run the file, and follow the
instructions in the Install Wizard)
Kerio Personal Firewall (Free for Home use)
http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html
(again, use the appropriate download link for Kerio Personal Firewall
Version 4, then follow the installation wizard's instructions)
Agnitum Outpost Firewall Version 1.0 (Free Version)
http://www.agnitum.com/download/outpost1.html
(only version 1.0 is free, version 2.0 requires purchase)
Any of these three programs will provide at least as much protection
against inbound threats as ICF does. All three provide greater
protection against outbound threats than ICF ever will. All three also
require some user interaction to work properly. I personally recommend
ZoneAlarm to everyone who asks, primarily because it has the best
tutorial and the best overall performance for a free product.
Please try downloading and installing one of these programs, then let
me know if it works for you so that I can post this as the Answer.
Thanks,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher
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Clarification of Question by
treesome-ga
on
21 Dec 2003 16:59 PST
Hi aht-ga
Everything went smoothly. It has already prevented 89 what-ever's and
one was rated highly.
I can't thank you enough, I feel alot more relaxed and safer now with
my computer thanks to you.
Have a Happy Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Very Very Grateful
treesome-ga
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