firewall question

I've been using Zone Labs Pro but began having trouble with it so I've uninstalled it completely. I use Windows XP Pro and it has a firewall plus I use a Netgear router. So, do I really need additional firewall protection for a home application? I use Avast Anti-virus, CCleaner, RegistryMechanic and Ewido anti-spy/malware.

Thanks

the router provides better protection than xp, although its ideal if you have a good software firewell in addition.

Try Sunbelt Kerio Firewall:
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm
You get the full version for 30 days, then it reverts to the free version unless you pay.

Thanks for the information. I'll take a look at this firewall. Actaully, I think ZA worked fine on the free version, but I started having difficulties with it freezes up my computer when I clicked on the ZA icon after I went to the ZA Pro model.

Maybe go back to the free version again then.
Zonealarm is a good firewall & so is Kerio. I wouldn't go down the road of paying for this sort of product, the free ones are probably better than some that you pay for anyway.

My first free firewall was Zone Alarm and it somehow caused all sorts of problems do to incompatabilty with other software. Then when I went to uninstall it, I belive it messed up my computer completely... Had to reformat. Needless to say I am not a big fan of Zone Alarm. Tried Kerio but it it seemed more complicated and not as effective as what I now use which is Sygate. I highly recommend it! You can get it and read more about it here... http://www.docsdownloads.com/spf.htm ...You can also Google Sygate Personal Firewall but the company's web-site makes it difficult to link to their free version. (I guess to make it easier for you to just but their buy Pro version)

Sygate personal firewall no longer exists & there will be no updates to it. I think the last version was 5.6.
Sygate have been aquired by Symantec, so they have just made sure that another good firewall bites the dust.
Kerio Personal firewall looks difficult until you get used to it. You could try the manual, which can be found here: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Keri...ll%20manual%22
I wouldn't suggest that you continue using Sygate personal firewall, as you may not be fully protected.
Sygate was one of my favourite firewalls & it was not good that Symantec bought out the company. They are nearly as bad as MS.

Wow. Sorry to here that. I'll give Kerio a try again.

Yes it was a shame when Sygate went, but there are still some good free firewalls out there.
I can't understand how ZoneAlarm screwed up your system so badly though. I have used Zonealarm on many occasions & never had a problem with it. I suppose it must have disliked your installed software.
Still Kerio is very good.

Another good one is Ghostwall. http://www.ghostsecurity.com/index.php?page=ghostwall It's free and doesn't have any conflicts with application software. What's more is it runs with Windows XP, Windows XP Pro X64, and with Windows Vista beta 2!

In my personal opinion ZoneAlarms is only good if you have the full Security Suite Edition. Otherwise to many things get by it. Ghostwall is also very good.

Do you think it is better than Kerio?

Okay. So now I'm using Kerio and it's been going pretty well except for two things. I now have to connect to the internet through free NetZero. I think somehow Kerio is responsible for when I connect through my usual ISP (All2Easy) I get a invalid username or password error. Didn't have this problem before I installed Kerio. How do I fix it? Also, after I bootup Kerio pops up this 'Intrusion Alert Block' for a program in my antispyware arsenal called SpyCatcher. I tried some of the options in Kerio and couldn't figure out how to keep it from doing this... Ideas?

Finally, those of you who have used both Kerio and GhostWall... Which one is better?

I fixed everything... okay to close thread