Windows XP Service Pack 2 and the Internet Connection Firewall

Microsoft is sending out a new security patch that enables a firewall on your PC. Generally speaking this is good. However this firewall, as it is implemented by default when you apply the patch, breaks some other applications that rely on being able to talk to your PC. One of these applications is the Authentication process which we use at the college for you to log on to the Residential Network or to the Wireless Zone. If you have the firewall installed and enabled on your PC you will not be able to log in. The following is a description of how to tell if the firewall is installed and enabled or not, and how to disable it if it is enabled. This only applies to machines running Windows XP, not Win2000 or 95/98.

To see if the Internet Connection Firewall has been installed, Click on Start. Open the Control Panel and click on the Windows Firewall icon (If you do not see the Windows Firewall or Security Center icons as shown, Service Pack 2 is probably not installed).

To disable the Internet Connection Firewall: In the Windows Firewall window, click"Off" even though it says "Off (not recommended)." Then click the OK button and you are done.>

It is very easy to turn the firewall on or off, so feel free to turn it back on - when you take your computer off our network and use it at home.