test copy to me

[Guest guest]

Lengthy post, but good things don't always come in small packages!

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Windows XP Home Edition: HOW TO activate your (ICF) " Internet Connection

Firewall "

Many of us have upgraded our operating system to the more common standard of

the 32-Bit version of Windows XP Home Edition, or have recently purchased a

newer computer which came with this version of Windows already installed on

it.

Did you know that your Windows XP Home Edition software comes with (ICF),

and it is becoming impatient waiting for Ceda family members to turn it on?

(ICF) stands for " Internet Connection Firewall " , and it is included your

copy of Windows XP Home Edition. I realize that it isn't too well-known that

this 'Firewall' is already coupled right in the Software you bought.

Unfortunately, by default of Bill Gates this feature remains <Not In

Service> until you turn it on. If you know of this little 'gem',and have are

utilizing the added protection already, then " good on ya! "

With the added protection of a 'Firewall', you can benefit from greater

peace of mind while you surf the Internet. You can daydream about you and

your significant one walking hand-in-hand along a deserted stretch of sandy

white beach in far off Tahiti, all the while doing so without worrying about

some 'disturbed' hacker crashing your system while your thoughts are a

thousand miles away.

Several months ago, before activating the (ICF) inside my Windows XP Home

Edition, I wanted to know how vulnerable my system was, so I ran what I

consider a very reliable 'System Checker' on my computer. This was to allow

'Symantec System Checker' to probe my computer on-line and evaluate my level

of risk from possible intrusion by unscrupulous persons who enjoy 'hacking'

their way into others computers for fun, or to inflict a devastating

payload.

Your system can easily be hacked into through any open port on your system.

An open port is a major security hole in your system; a wide-open door which

can invite even the most amateur hacker.

After Symantec port-scanned my system, I was not at all surprised when I

reviewed their results. Many of my ports were 'Open'. Only three ports were

'Stealth'. The rest were 'Closed', but even closed ports won't deter a

hacker from investigating further in the hope of finding that 'one' open

port to gain entry into your computer. The ideal, is that 'ALL' your ports

function as 'Stealth'.

A 'Stealth' port is safest of all. Stealth means your computer doesn't

respond to port probes, and you are virtually invisible to hackers scanning

the Internet for potential targets.

I would recommend 'Symantec System Checker' to anyone who wants to

thoroughly check of their system to see just how secure their system is;

either with their existing firewall in place, or without one. The process

takes only a few minutes, even with an 80GB hard-drive.

After clicking on 'START', Symantec will ask you to accept and run two small

programs which are 'absolutely necessary' for them to conduct the following:

(1) a full security scan of your system, and (2) if you also want, a

thorough test of your entire hard-drive for viruses and Trojans (this test

can take some time to complete, especially if you have a sizeable

hard-drive).

link to Symantec System Check: Security Scan & Virus Detection test

http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/sharedcontent/common/images/icon_security_sca\

n.gif