Answers:
Windows 2000 does not come next to firewall. You must use a third celebration solution..
First you install one, next you turn it on.
The firewall within window xp is a one path filter - it individual dumps incomming stuff you don't want. Its DOES NOT block outbound traffic you don't want (such as a program wasting bandwidth by phoning home or a trojan i.e. trying to push its unequivocal for business)
To be honest, window 2000 near a two passageway firewall such as zone alarm is more support than window xp beside the entrenched firewall for this use.
Don't trust me though, ask Microsoft which is more immobilize. They will communicate you Vista. I wonder what their motive to $ay that might be...
More out of harm`s way does come at a price however contained by that more in safe hands imply harder to use. Its a nothing sum winter sport - every increase in indemnity is a fall off contained by glibness of use. That's a moment ago the fundamental sincerity and can't really be worked around completely.
Do a google on zone alarm and afford it a try - the stripped down free performance is ok to use for personal, but not business use. It is stripped down... sort of approaching a cell phone specifically a cell phone a bit than a cell phone/camera/text messenger/web browser/gps locator/blender/water desalinater/etc.,...
You did ask give or take a few a firewall a bit than a firewall + all sorts of other confusing crap right?
Free book of Zone Alarm it is afterwards.