As of right now I am running a hardware firewwall which is my D-Link DI-604 router and I am also just using the SP2 firewall. IS the hardware firewall and the SP2 firewall enough. I know the SP2 firewall does protect against inbound traffic but not outbound traffic so that is why I am asking for a software firewall solution other then just the SP2 firewall. If you guys think I should use a software firewall other then the SP2 one what would you guys reccomend? I am lookinjg for one that is as low on recources as possible, so while I am browsing the web it does not slow it down quite a bit like some others I have tried. I also do not want to wait forever at bootup just for the firewall to start. So any suggestions? Also the firewall does NOT need to be free. I do not mind paying for the firewall. I also want one that allows to to customize it alot. I was looking at this http://www.all-internet-security.com/top_10_firewall_software.html Anyone hyave any experience with PRIVATEFIREWALL? I also use AVG anti-virus, but I do not have it running in the background. I do know this is probally a bad idea, but I do do manual scans very often so is it really such a bad idea? AVG is really low on system recources so I guess if it really is a bad idea I can have it running in the backgound as it won't make much of a difference. EDIT: I also read this: http://www.all-internet-security.com/editor_choice_product.html eTrust EZ Armor looks good as an all-in-one solution. Any security programs that you guys would suggest that will not cripple my systems performance?

Look at Outpost Firewall. http://www.majorgeeks.com/download1056.html Just one of many.Works well for me and not a resource hog.

The reason for running AVG or any AV for that matter, in the background, is that is scans a file that is written to a disk, ie your HD, and warns you immediately, before the virus spreads. Nigel

You might want to check out these for more information. http://www.firewallleaktester.com/tests.htm http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20020412S0009

I'm using the DI-604 router too. It blocks incoming attacks etc, but will not alert you when something is outgoing. That's why you NEED a software firewall. You can't go wrong with either Zone Alarm or Sygate Personal Firewall. I'm using Kaspersky Antivirus. You have to keep your antivuris software (AVG in your case) running!!! This is very important. I don't understand why you shut it off in the first place! Avg is a good av too, and low on resources. Also, zone alarm is free. After installing zonealarm, you should shut off the sp2 firewall.

I was under the impression that the whole point of sp2 initially, was to upgrade their firewall to monitor outgoing stuff as well? Does it not do this now with SP2?? I'm fully updated for criticals, etc but refuse to install SP2 (so far, yes I have the free CD just in case). Thanks

Yes the upgraded SP2 firewall monitors outgoing stuff, but it doesn't have the possibilities to configure how this is done as good and easy as other firewalls. Nigel