Not to beat a dead horse, but take a look at:
http://www.amazingcharts.com/ub/ubbthreads.php/topics/22739/PAPERPORT#Post22722Not a whole lot of difference between McAfee and Norton as far as the problems they can cause. Don't get me wrong, and people will argue this, but they are relatively good at what they say they do, they just do a whole lot more.
Back in the early 90s, there was a huge explosion of commercial software firewalls such as Zone Alarm and Tiny Firewall. This was before the advent of Microsoft's built-in firewalls. You have to remember every time Microsoft builds in what is also a 3rd party app such as a browser, they tend to get sued.
Everyone, including me, wants a secure computer, so we all rushed out or downloaded Zone Alarm. Zone Alarm at the time, was unique in that it blocked both incoming traffic AND outgoing traffic. This was useful to make sure you didn't have Trojans residing on your computer trying to dial the mothership (literally). I found a couple of Trojans this way as when they were blocked, I didn't recognize them as trustworthy programs trying to make connections. For example, obviously programs like Internet Explorer and AC will have to dial out. If blocked, AC would not be able to check for updates, etc. Also your antivirus programs would not be able to check if they were deficient in the latest updates. If you trusted the outgoing traffic, you clicked on OK, and that particular program was then allowed to go through with immunity. Basically, you were opening ports. The problem was, especially in the beginning, the constant pop up telling you that you needed to OK the traffic was annoying.
Suddenly the extra protection was offset by the sheer annoyance. Trust me, prior to the advent of the plethora of software firewalls, networking issues were much fewer. Remember, traffic between computers via your switch or directly aren't monitor (generally) by your hardware firewall.
I have said on here I am a lumper not a splitter. That doesn't hold true for AV/Firewall/Internet software. I like one trustworthy software firewall to give me double protection, one AV monitor/scanner and that's it. The suites tend to put too many tentacles into your OS and can cause you to have too many firewalls. A hardware firewall, Windows Firewall and an Antivirus program is all you need. Most adware, spyware and cookies can be tolerated and a good 3rd part tool such as MBAM or SuperAntispareware can be run weekly to clean these up. Many cookies are your friend. These allow your browser and other programs that "remember" user names and password to do so due to cookies.
No matter how much one likes the Internet suites and firewalls, they directly block traffic BETWEEN computers as well.
Adam and I spent an entire weekend trying to fix a networking issue only to find out it was McAfee causing all the problems.
A good hardware firewall such as Cisco or Watchguard between your Internet connection and your network will be more than enough protection. One thing about Windows firewall (especially with WIN7), when you turn it off, it is off. You don't have to uninstall it.
An IT guru once gave me some very good advice:
Are there hackers out there that can get past your hardware firewall and software firewall and wreak havoc on your computer?
DEFINITELY!
Are there hackers out there that can do this, but are targeting your particular computer?
DOUBTFUL.
