Perhaps if firewalls were renamed, “personal identity insurance,” more people would realize need to own it! So, does Windows firewall do job? While it will block incoming attacks, it will not block programs already installed on your computer from sending information out.

Many downloads you agree to will have spyware attached, and spyware often “phones home” with information about user. Windows XP firewall will not stop this which is why computer experts suggest that for maximum protection you should go with a full firewall protection like ones offered by Zone Labs, Norton and McAfee in lieu of XP’s.

Be warned however that much of content on p2p networks is copyright material and therefore downloading or sharing this material can violate copyright laws especially in light of recent US Supreme Court rules against file-sharing services. There is also risk of downloading viruses and spyware as these file-sharing networks are not secure. Spyware and adware programs are frequently bundled into P2P file sharing software. Downloaded material could also contain pornography. More file sharing info

(c) Noel Hynes, 2005. Reprint rights granted to copy and publish this article so long as the article and by-line are reprinted intact. File sharing Information