spit ... I guess it's a personal preference. XP's firewall is what is referred to as an ICF which is a stateful firewall program. Stateful means that as a program sends out a request for an Internet service, such as a Web page, ICF keeps track of this request and anticipates an answer. This is often referred to as a keeping state. When a packet arrives in response to such a request, ICF looks for an entry in its state table, and if the packet matches the request, it is then forwarded on through to the application.

Many times I have found this not to be true, and it interfered with some applications I use. Was just way to much configuring for me so I trashed it. ICF is at best an average firewall and much better then nothing.

Flyer I use a Linksys BERSR41 router (think everyone should cause it just don't get much better then that) and I use ZApro for my software firewall to catch the outgoing.

Puter security interests me (yea I'm a geek) ... I like to call it a "hobby" ;) ...... In my opinion that set up (I have researched allot) is about the best one you can get

Great site to read on if Internet security interests you is Steve Gibson's site ..... the URL is http://grc.com/default.htm