Alternative defenses instead of SP2

Hello

Some of my friends still seem to regret having installed SP2 for XP, not seeing any major security change when not using IE or OExpress or XP imbedded FireWall... Or experiencing compatibility problems with some softs previously running well...

How about other users around ?

I'd like to know which alternative defenses some of you might be using to secure their machine as well as XP tries to do, while NOT installing the SP2 package...

For example, the free SocketLock from GRC.... http://www.grc.com/freepopular.htm

Thanks;
Rgds, Crockett

 

Hi Crockett !

Yes indeed, I have to agree with your friends. Anything is better than M$ patches with holes. I use all utilities ever made for Windows privacy/security, all I find.

And thanks for the tip. I just installed SocketLock

~Ari~

 

Hello,

Please excuse my ignorance , but what is a ' raw socket' and what would
"SocketLock' prevent against ?



(is there a "pc-dictionary for dummies" somewhere out there ?? )

Thanks.

 

Thank You ronjor.

Looks like another necessary option to tighten the system.

But if I understand one of the comments there correctly, when you have the
'complete' package", it could cause problems if SocketLock is installed ?

Does it mean, if I install WinXP - 2, I'd need to enable Sockets again ?
And is it just for SP1 users ??

Sorry for all these questions...I just want to be sure.

 

Well that is good. Since I'm planning on upgrading sometime soon I hope, it won't be necessary to install that SocketLock then.

 

Hi

Steve G's SocketLock is extremely easy to use... Done in one second, and always reversable should one choose so.

This one is another free favorite of mine:
http://www.firewallleaktester.com/wwdc.htm

Hello
http://www.webopedia.com/

http://www.heise.de/security/artikel/53297

Rgds, Crockett