Personal Firewall is at least strongly recommended. Your test show that You
are safe from attacs from
outside world - this means outside tour ISP, at least.

Test results are two explanations. 1) Latest WinXPs are windows firewall
enabled default. Your
computer specifications shows that it is quite new that it is very propable.
2) Your ISP uses firewall.

In later case You are  propably not protected from attacts in Your ISP net.

Additional benefits from PF is taht they show when some spftware attemts to
access from Your computer.
IIRC Windows firewall allows any progam access from your computer to outside.
It is not good because you
may be infected some virus/worm. Even when your antivirus program is updated.
There is always new viruses.
PFs notify you when some program attemts access from your computer.

PS. If You install personal firewall, disable Windows firefall first.

Toomas


----- Original Message -----
From: "Jessi Arcand-Taylor" <[log in to unmask]>


> Computer Description; HP 2800+ AMD Athlon processor, 1 GB Mem, 120 GB HD, OS
Win XP Pro.
>
> I've had several security checks done on my computer, including Norton sec
chk, PC Pitstop, etc...
> They have all shown my computer to be safe from any security threats (All
Ports are Stealth) and
> not leaking any personal info to websites. However, I don't have a personal
firewall installed and
> as far as I know, the firewall that is included with XP Pro has not been
activated. Since the security
> checks show my computer to not be in danger, is there any need to install a
firewall, such as Zone
> Alarm, NAV, etc...? I would be grateful for any insight you could offer on
this subject. TIA.
> Jessi Arcand-Taylor
>

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