Hi, Yes, the Windows XP SP2 firewall will block all incoming TCP connections by default, and so the W98 PC will not be seen from the Internet. This is a common NAT arangement, and is basicly how a router works as regards firewalling. Where you may get issues is if you have apps connecting to remote hosts from the W98 PC - there would be no protection for this. Andrew. -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Caroline Ford Sent: 20 January 2005 19:49 To: Access-Uk@Freelists. Org Subject: [access-uk] Windows Firewall On A Network Hello, I am helping a friend set up a network where a PC running XP SP2 with a broadband connection using a USB modem will be connected to a Windows 98 SE PC. We will be using CAT5 cross-over cable to link the two PC's which both have network cards installed. This network will only be a temporary measure until my friend acquires a router, but we would like to know if the Windows XP SP2 firewall will be sufficient, with its default settings, to protect both PC's, or do we need to make any changes to accommodate the second PC. Thanks for any advice. Caroline. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.302 / Virus Database: 265.7.1 - Release Date: 19/01/2005 ** To leave the list, send a message to:- ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ** To leave the list, send a message to:- ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq