I was never a fan of Zone Alarm, even when it first came out. Seemed to always bog down my computers boot time. Over the years I have tried different versions here and there and it really hasn't improved much. Since Checkpoint bought the software it seems to have become even more bloated and worthless. Truly a software firewall is not needed behind a NAT router. Some may block incoming malware or block it from going out but a descent antivirus/antispyware application should do that already. I personally don't use any protection at all, but I do have protection on the rest of the family's computers. Kaspersky was nice enough to butter me up with a couple NFR copies of their antivirus plus antispyware and I have been really happy with the performance of it. My wife, not to mention kids, click on everything and it has blocked all of it so far.
