Firewall Question

Hello. I am running a new PC with Vista Home Premium. I am a McAfee
subscriber and use the firewall/virus scan features.
When I tried to install the McAfee, it stopped midway and stated that the
system already has a antivirus installed which must be deactivated. So I
uninstalled the factory antivirus software and McAfee installed
satisfactorily.
So it seems that only ONE antivirus software can operate at any given time.
OK, that I understand now, but what about firewalls?
The McAfee has its own firewall, and of course the Windows system has its
own firewall, and I even think my Roadrunner ISP connection has some sort of
protection as well. Is it OK to have multiple firewalls active at once, or
does the Mcfee overshadow the others? Should I turn OFF the Windows
firewall?
Sorry that this isnt exclusively Vista oriented but I read this column daily
and there is a lot of very intelligent users here and I am sure some of you
will be kind enough to reply. Thanks in advance, Whitey

Hello Whitey,

The rule of thumb is that you can use several anti-spyware applications but
never more than one anti-virus, real-time virus protector, firewall, pop-up
blocker or anti-phishing filter.
-=--



"Whitey" wrote:

> Hello. I am running a new PC with Vista Home Premium. I am a McAfee
> subscriber and use the firewall/virus scan features.
> When I tried to install the McAfee, it stopped midway and stated that the
> system already has a antivirus installed which must be deactivated. So I
> uninstalled the factory antivirus software and McAfee installed
> satisfactorily.
> So it seems that only ONE antivirus software can operate at any given time.
> OK, that I understand now, but what about firewalls?
> The McAfee has its own firewall, and of course the Windows system has its
> own firewall, and I even think my Roadrunner ISP connection has some sort of
> protection as well. Is it OK to have multiple firewalls active at once, or
> does the Mcfee overshadow the others? Should I turn OFF the Windows
> firewall?
> Sorry that this isnt exclusively Vista oriented but I read this column daily
> and there is a lot of very intelligent users here and I am sure some of you
> will be kind enough to reply. Thanks in advance, Whitey
>
>

That’s pretty much what I figured but I wanted opinions from the pro's! Many
thanks friend.

"Ǝиçεl" <> wrote in message
news:1FF81A69-5F32-4C2E-BF98-...
> Hello Whitey,
>
> The rule of thumb is that you can use several anti-spyware applications
> but
> never more than one anti-virus, real-time virus protector, firewall,
> pop-up
> blocker or anti-phishing filter.
> -=--
>
>
>
> "Whitey" wrote:
>
>> Hello. I am running a new PC with Vista Home Premium. I am a McAfee
>> subscriber and use the firewall/virus scan features.
>> When I tried to install the McAfee, it stopped midway and stated that the
>> system already has a antivirus installed which must be deactivated. So I
>> uninstalled the factory antivirus software and McAfee installed
>> satisfactorily.
>> So it seems that only ONE antivirus software can operate at any given
>> time.
>> OK, that I understand now, but what about firewalls?
>> The McAfee has its own firewall, and of course the Windows system has its
>> own firewall, and I even think my Roadrunner ISP connection has some sort
>> of
>> protection as well. Is it OK to have multiple firewalls active at once,
>> or
>> does the Mcfee overshadow the others? Should I turn OFF the Windows
>> firewall?
>> Sorry that this isnt exclusively Vista oriented but I read this column
>> daily
>> and there is a lot of very intelligent users here and I am sure some of
>> you
>> will be kind enough to reply. Thanks in advance, Whitey
>>
>>

On Wed, 2 Sep 2009 19:15:32 -0400, "Whitey" <> wrote:

> Is it OK to have multiple firewalls active at once, or
> does the Mcfee overshadow the others? Should I turn OFF the Windows
> firewall?


Don't run two firewalls. You achieve no extra protection, you incur
the extra overhead of running two firewalls, and you run the risk
(probably small, but not zero) of conflicts between them.

See http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu.../firewall.mspx
which includes the following:

"Q. Should I use both the built-in firewall and a software firewall
from a different company on my Windows XP computer?

"A. No. Running multiple software firewalls is unnecessary for typical
home computers, home networking, and small-business networking
scenarios. Using two firewalls on the same connection could cause
issues with connectivity to the Internet or other unexpected behavior.
One firewall, whether it is the Windows XP Internet Connection
Firewall or a different software firewall, can provide substantial
protection for your computer."

Also note that if you update your third-party firewall to a new
version, the update routine will probably turn it off first. If the
Windows firewall isn't running, you will temporarily be left with no
running firewall, which is very dangerous. So turn on the Windows
firewall temporarily before doing maintenance on your third-party
firewall.

One additional point: I wouldn't choose to use the McAfee firewall in
preference to the Windows firewall, but I also wouldn't choose to use
the McAfee anything in preference to anything else (except Norton
products). In my view, McAfee and Norton are the two worst security
companies out there.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

I would not run the risk. Turn off one software firewall or the other.
Your router/modem probably has some protection built in and this is really
where you should concentrate your protection - don't even let 'em in past
the gateway, stop them there.

"Whitey" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hello. I am running a new PC with Vista Home Premium. I am a McAfee
> subscriber and use the firewall/virus scan features.
> When I tried to install the McAfee, it stopped midway and stated that the
> system already has a antivirus installed which must be deactivated. So I
> uninstalled the factory antivirus software and McAfee installed
> satisfactorily.
> So it seems that only ONE antivirus software can operate at any given
> time. OK, that I understand now, but what about firewalls?
> The McAfee has its own firewall, and of course the Windows system has its
> own firewall, and I even think my Roadrunner ISP connection has some sort
> of protection as well. Is it OK to have multiple firewalls active at once,
> or does the Mcfee overshadow the others? Should I turn OFF the Windows
> firewall?
> Sorry that this isnt exclusively Vista oriented but I read this column
> daily and there is a lot of very intelligent users here and I am sure some
> of you will be kind enough to reply. Thanks in advance, Whitey

Thank You sir, great reply! TJ

"Ken Blake, MVP" <> wrote in message
news:...
> On Wed, 2 Sep 2009 19:15:32 -0400, "Whitey" <> wrote:
>
>> Is it OK to have multiple firewalls active at once, or
>> does the Mcfee overshadow the others? Should I turn OFF the Windows
>> firewall?
>
>
> Don't run two firewalls. You achieve no extra protection, you incur
> the extra overhead of running two firewalls, and you run the risk
> (probably small, but not zero) of conflicts between them.
>
> See http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu.../firewall.mspx
> which includes the following:
>
> "Q. Should I use both the built-in firewall and a software firewall
> from a different company on my Windows XP computer?
>
> "A. No. Running multiple software firewalls is unnecessary for typical
> home computers, home networking, and small-business networking
> scenarios. Using two firewalls on the same connection could cause
> issues with connectivity to the Internet or other unexpected behavior.
> One firewall, whether it is the Windows XP Internet Connection
> Firewall or a different software firewall, can provide substantial
> protection for your computer."
>
> Also note that if you update your third-party firewall to a new
> version, the update routine will probably turn it off first. If the
> Windows firewall isn't running, you will temporarily be left with no
> running firewall, which is very dangerous. So turn on the Windows
> firewall temporarily before doing maintenance on your third-party
> firewall.
>
> One additional point: I wouldn't choose to use the McAfee firewall in
> preference to the Windows firewall, but I also wouldn't choose to use
> the McAfee anything in preference to anything else (except Norton
> products). In my view, McAfee and Norton are the two worst security
> companies out there.
>
> --
> Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
> Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Thanks my friend! Very appreciated! TJ

"Richard G. Harper" <> wrote in message
news:F14F1DC3-D8D9-4A1B-BAC9-...
> I would not run the risk. Turn off one software firewall or the other.
> Your router/modem probably has some protection built in and this is really
> where you should concentrate your protection - don't even let 'em in past
> the gateway, stop them there.
>
> "Whitey" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Hello. I am running a new PC with Vista Home Premium. I am a McAfee
>> subscriber and use the firewall/virus scan features.
>> When I tried to install the McAfee, it stopped midway and stated that the
>> system already has a antivirus installed which must be deactivated. So I
>> uninstalled the factory antivirus software and McAfee installed
>> satisfactorily.
>> So it seems that only ONE antivirus software can operate at any given
>> time. OK, that I understand now, but what about firewalls?
>> The McAfee has its own firewall, and of course the Windows system has its
>> own firewall, and I even think my Roadrunner ISP connection has some sort
>> of protection as well. Is it OK to have multiple firewalls active at
>> once, or does the Mcfee overshadow the others? Should I turn OFF the
>> Windows firewall?
>> Sorry that this isnt exclusively Vista oriented but I read this column
>> daily and there is a lot of very intelligent users here and I am sure
>> some of you will be kind enough to reply. Thanks in advance, Whitey
>

You are entirely welcome.

"Whitey" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Thanks my friend! Very appreciated! TJ
>
> "Richard G. Harper" <> wrote in message
> news:F14F1DC3-D8D9-4A1B-BAC9-...
>> I would not run the risk. Turn off one software firewall or the other.
>> Your router/modem probably has some protection built in and this is
>> really where you should concentrate your protection - don't even let 'em
>> in past the gateway, stop them there.
>>
>> "Whitey" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Hello. I am running a new PC with Vista Home Premium. I am a McAfee
>>> subscriber and use the firewall/virus scan features.
>>> When I tried to install the McAfee, it stopped midway and stated that
>>> the system already has a antivirus installed which must be deactivated.
>>> So I uninstalled the factory antivirus software and McAfee installed
>>> satisfactorily.
>>> So it seems that only ONE antivirus software can operate at any given
>>> time. OK, that I understand now, but what about firewalls?
>>> The McAfee has its own firewall, and of course the Windows system has
>>> its own firewall, and I even think my Roadrunner ISP connection has some
>>> sort of protection as well. Is it OK to have multiple firewalls active
>>> at once, or does the Mcfee overshadow the others? Should I turn OFF the
>>> Windows firewall?
>>> Sorry that this isnt exclusively Vista oriented but I read this column
>>> daily and there is a lot of very intelligent users here and I am sure
>>> some of you will be kind enough to reply. Thanks in advance, Whitey
>>

On Thu, 3 Sep 2009 16:53:37 -0400, "Whitey" <> wrote:

> Thank You sir, great reply! TJ


You're welcome. Glad to help.



> "Ken Blake, MVP" <> wrote in message
> news:...
> > On Wed, 2 Sep 2009 19:15:32 -0400, "Whitey" <> wrote:
> >
> >> Is it OK to have multiple firewalls active at once, or
> >> does the Mcfee overshadow the others? Should I turn OFF the Windows
> >> firewall?
> >
> >
> > Don't run two firewalls. You achieve no extra protection, you incur
> > the extra overhead of running two firewalls, and you run the risk
> > (probably small, but not zero) of conflicts between them.
> >
> > See http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu.../firewall.mspx
> > which includes the following:
> >
> > "Q. Should I use both the built-in firewall and a software firewall
> > from a different company on my Windows XP computer?
> >
> > "A. No. Running multiple software firewalls is unnecessary for typical
> > home computers, home networking, and small-business networking
> > scenarios. Using two firewalls on the same connection could cause
> > issues with connectivity to the Internet or other unexpected behavior.
> > One firewall, whether it is the Windows XP Internet Connection
> > Firewall or a different software firewall, can provide substantial
> > protection for your computer."
> >
> > Also note that if you update your third-party firewall to a new
> > version, the update routine will probably turn it off first. If the
> > Windows firewall isn't running, you will temporarily be left with no
> > running firewall, which is very dangerous. So turn on the Windows
> > firewall temporarily before doing maintenance on your third-party
> > firewall.
> >
> > One additional point: I wouldn't choose to use the McAfee firewall in
> > preference to the Windows firewall, but I also wouldn't choose to use
> > the McAfee anything in preference to anything else (except Norton
> > products). In my view, McAfee and Norton are the two worst security
> > companies out there.
> >
> > --
> > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
> > Please Reply to the Newsgroup

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup