Chapter 26. Implementing, Managing, and Troubleshooting Network Protocols and Services

Microsoft Windows XP makes it easy to stay connected while minimizing your exposure to attacks. Naturally, you can connect to traditional wired networks. You can also connect to wireless networks at your home or office, or at wireless hotspots. If you are away from the office, you can connect to any Internet connection and use Windows XP to create a virtual private network (VPN) connection to access resources on your internal network. If an Internet connection is not available, but you can access a telephone line, you can use dial-up networking to connect to your office network.

It is risky to connect to any network, especially the Internet. Windows XP helps protect you from network attacks by using Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) and, when Service Pack 2 is installed, Windows Firewall. Both ICF and Windows Firewall are capable of providing similar levels of protection by blocking all incoming connections that have not specifically been allowed. Windows Firewall is enabled by default, however, and is easier to configure. In Active Directory environments, domain administrators can configure Windows Firewall by using Group Policy settings.