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Surfs Up!

Soo... when you establish an HTTP connection SPI can mitigate a call to local resources? (You use any P2P clients?) Is the ARP cache protected under SPI, or fragmentation packets? How about xmas?

Better run SPI and a good software based firewall. Better yet, a node dedicated to penetration, like Snort, but that's a little too nerdy.

Your best protection would be had by using a router with a built-in (hard wired) Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall. A hard-wired firewall far exceeds the protection afforded by any software firewall.

Am I OT in suggesting a router for a "free firewall" topic? I think not. The router itself isn't free (but it's cheap), HOWEVER the firewall is built in to the router; hence one might say that the firewall is, in essence, "free". Okay, I'm splitting hairs -- so shoot me.

But seriously -- if you are a high-risk surfer (&/or paranoid), truly excellent protection is always the best bargain in the long run. A router affords truly excellent protection -- mega-miles better than a software firewall. For sure.

Sygate is now owned by Symantec, I have not heard that it is being maintained. Check this notice:
Sygate Online Services .

Here is what are rated highly by MajorGeeks: MajorGeeks.com - Download Freeware and Shareware Computer Utilities. I've used Comodo and didn't care for it, currently using Outpost. I used Sygate for a long time, but when they stopped maintaining it, I went with something being kept up to date.

I also refer to Matousec's testing.

.bh.

If you're already behind a router/firewall then you could probably stick with Sygate.

www.matousec.com: Security software testing, analyses, research and reviews.

Results and comments - www.matousec.com

I don't use it now, but i found zone alarm was o.k

Best Free Firewall Program?

Anyone recommend a Good free firewall for Vista/XP? I am using Sygate Personal Firewall now, and wondered if there may be a better one? Thanks for your input.