I installed the free SYGATE personal firewall, v5.0, from dl.com. Upon running it, and getting it basically set-up, My browser started running extremely slow. I allowed my ISP, IE, and my anti-virus software, rights to access or whatever it's called, and I was able to log on to and use AOL, although slowly (I am aware of people's opinions of AOL, and respect them, however I am a still a user). After signing on and off and using my ISP for a few days, it slowly became almost impossible to get connected, and even more impossible to stay connected. When I did get connected, it would take literally 3 to 5 minutes to load a web page, and sometimes longer. I uninstalled SYGATE which didn't resolve anything. Then, I did a SYS Restore, with no resolution there either. I then proceeded to clear my browser cache, reinstall my modem, uninstalled and re-setup the global.org file, as per AOL tech advice. None of which helped. I also used a new feature in AOL, called "auto fix" which runs through a series of fixes that attempt to solve problems getting and staying connected. I am wondering if using a firewall has changed something or added or changed some files that are necessary for modem or internet use. I cannot name all of the fixes I tried, because I am pretty much a novice at this, though competent, and I was hoping for some advice. Although I cannot say this with absolute certainty, I would suggest to anyone that offers advice to assume that all basic fixes have been tried, by me, as I have been working on this for a couple of days now. I am bumming, please help? Thank you in advance, Matt.

Your security settings may be too high.

Did you run a spyware detection program?

Did one of your programs max out your resources?By that I mean did your processor work harder than normal?If that happens,you can verify what process is bogging you down by using task manager (ctrh>alt>delete on xp system). Hope this helps.JB

Ok, first I have to ask, did you check out the Sygate Support forums? Do you have a Intel Pro Network card installed on your machine? If so go read this thread at the Sygate support forums. This thread is about your systems as you've described them. And this thread tells you how to completely, and cleanly, uninstall Sygate Personal Firewall. Be SURE you uninstall it according to that thread, because *if* Sygate Personal Firewall is the cause of your problem, any missed files could be the reason it wasn't resolved after you uninstalled it. the uninstaller does *not* do all of this automatically. Hope this helps, good luck.

Is it just me or am I seeing more SYGATE people asking for help on this forum and I've noticed it on 3 other forums also, all very much lately, like in the last 2 weeks.

Yeah, and I don't get it myself. I've been using Sygate for ages and I have never had any problems at all. No negative affects on my system or anything. On top of that, I read about these people who are failing security tests with Sygate and I have to wonder what in the heck they are doing. I've passed every single security test I've found, with flying colors I might add, including GRC, Blackcode, PC Flank, Hackerwhacker, and probably a couple others I can't think of off the top of my head. Between Sygate and the Proxomitron I'm perfectly safe from the casual hacker. I'm not dumb enough to claim immunity, but it would take a lot more effort than my pc is worth to hack me. Not that I'm dropping the proverbial gauntlet mind you...just in case any hackers happen to be readin' this ;) I guess people just don't take the time to learn about the software and configure it properly, that's the only thing I can come up with. Either that or I'm the luckiest guy in the world...and I'm not lol.