# Windows XP firewall is useless

My brother sent me an interesting email today. It doesn't totally surprise me.

> By adding a new key to the registry in <span style="font-style: italic;">HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE / SYSTEM / Services / SharedAccess / Parameters / FirewallPolicy / StandardProfile / AuthorizedApplications / List</span> you can circumvent the whole purpose of the firewall with out the user's interaction or knowledge. Spyware &amp; Adware manufacturers already do this.  
>   
> More information and a little rant at:  
> [http://habaneronetworks.com/viewArticle.php?ID=144](http://habaneronetworks.com/viewArticle.php?ID=144)

*Originally posted on Monday, 2005-02-21 at 14:43:17.*