I see that a lot of companies use for instance a Cisco PIX as their only security measurent. Is that type of design really that secure. Would it not make sense to maybe add some form of software solution,like ISA or Linux, to it and maybe encrypt that data path, with for e.g IPsec? *Curious Admin*

Additional protection is preferable, but how many users can handle the added problems. A hardware solution provides a good level of general protection.

hi bernd, hardware firewalls are in general good forms of protection, yet they only block incoming and not outgoing data packets, because of this it would be better to install some good free firewall product such as: kerio, sygate, outpost, look n stop and zone alarm. These will block outgoing packets and your computer will also be in stealth. for more info on firewalls go to www.thepublicworks.com security section and link to firewall guide, firewall net, firewalls,etc. hope this helps, murve

Thanks a million guys... A burning question now. ISA or UNIX based....I never worked with UNIX software but i am quiet contend with ISA and it's webcahing abilities. What is the opinion out there??

If you want to try LINUX or UNIX derivations Smoothwall, FreeSCO, LRP (Linux Router Project). These will run on a minimal system, some floppy only.