Windows Firewall

[Lumine5]

Is windows firewall still active and enabled in Windows XP? How to make windows firewall stay secure without installing third party firewall software and without upgrading to new windows version?

[Bruce]

the firewall in XP is basic, only a software firewall and only looks at incoming traffic.
so while better than nothing, I’d still be suggesting a third-party product.

[Lumine5]

the firewall in XP is basic, only a software firewall and only looks at incoming traffic.
so while better than nothing, I’d still be suggesting a third-party product.

if I install free version of antivirus that has no firewall but having Windows firewall enabled, Is it safe enough? I also will install the app that hide my ip.

[Bruce]

all depends on what you class as “safe enough”.
since moving to Win10, with its built-in Defender security, there is no need for any add-on AV or firewall software, so I’ve stepped away from knowing too much about the free offerings.

except to say that Avast and AVG (now the same company) are not what they used to be, are full of adware, and some would even say, spyware. Avast collects a lot of telemetry from their products.

[Bruce]

@Lumine5 - still need help?

[Lumine5]

How to stay safe using admin account on old windows version? I heard that in Google website says use guest account is safe but no hard disks appear but I want to play game. My favourite game is in external disk. To stay safe, change admin name and password on admin account often right?

[Bruce]

again, all depends on what you deem to be an acceptable level of risk.
for example, you talk about safety, but use Windows XP which has been unpatched for years.

but yes, using the Admin account allows any malware to also run with admin privileges, but any malware worth a damn knows how to get around such an easy attempt to stop it if you log on using a Standard User account.

[Lumine5]

again, all depends on what you deem to be an acceptable level of risk.
for example, you talk about safety, but use Windows XP which has been unpatched for years.

but yes, using the Admin account allows any malware to also run with admin privileges, but any malware worth a **** knows how to get around such an easy attempt to stop it if you log on using a Standard User account.I

I still play my favourite downloaded game but I can’t play in standard account. But can change admin password often right? But I will have antivirus installed.

[Bruce]

wouldn’t need to change it often, just don’t use the default, and make it a strong one.
malware doesn’t run because it cracked your password!
it runs because it found a weakness in your security layers.

[PeterOz]

Do you need to be on the internet to play the game?
If you have a win 10 machine why not install virtual box on win 10
Install XP in VB
You now have win 10 protection

[Lumine5]

wouldn’t need to change it often, just don’t use the default, and make it a strong one.
malware doesn’t run because it cracked your password!
it runs because it found a weakness in your security layers.

If I create new admin account, does my 2 hard disks and my game folder still appear? And can I play game from game folder if it still appear?

[Bruce]

you’ll still be able to see all your drives and folders.
as to the game, and any other software, it all depends on whether it was installed for the current user or for everyone.

[Lumine5]

you’ll still be able to see all your drives and folders.
as to the game, and any other software, it all depends on whether it was installed for the current user or for everyone.

If I use free antivirus, no need to create admin account right? On YouTube one video says no need to install antivirus when want to create new admin account.

[Bruce]

any user account can install software, but during installation, it may ask for the admin account password depending on user access restrictions.
as to needing AV, since XP has no built-in AV, then yes, adding an AV suite is very desirable - it all depends on what level of risk you are prepared to accept.

[Lumine5]

any user account can install software, but during installation, it may ask for the admin account password depending on user access restrictions.
as to needing AV, since XP has no built-in AV, then yes, adding an AV suite is very desirable - it all depends on what level of risk you are prepared to accept

If I install adaware free antivirus, does it quarantine my game folder straightaway when I open and launch the game? I know it’s real-time protection enabled as default. I got check my game folder all clean and none detected in virustotal. But I don’t know adaware free antivirus will quarantine my game after I install it or not.