Thanks to everyone who replied to my question,
"Does a Firewall slow down your browsing?"

  I've read all of the replies, looked at all of the web sites
mentioned, ... it's a scary world out there!  I found one site
through Google (can't find it again though) where users rated
various firewalls - some loved Zone Alarm, some hated it - the
same thing applied to other firewalls too.  Tinysoftware
has gotten some good reviews, along with Black Ice.  But it
looks like there is no "perfect" firewall, is there?

I guess the only way to find out is to try one and see what
happens.

Also, while we're on the subject, there was an article in the
Washington Post's "Tech Thursday" column last week about
"Web bugs", which are tags embedded in Web pages that can
do nefarious things (leaving hidden files on your HD,
allowing files to be sent back to a web site) even with
a firewall in place.

The article can be found at the following link and is available
free for 2 weeks after the publication date. Another 8 days...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6818-2001Mar14.html

Thanks,

Steve Snyder
Reston, VA
[log in to unmask]

PS.  I now remember that one of the Techs who installed my
@Home connection DID mention Black Ice.  It was another tech at
a local show who mentioned that a personal firewall wasn't
necessary.

I wrote:
>>Also, my ISP (Home.com) uses a proxy/firewall on their network,
>>according to their techs, and therefore a personal firewall
>>isn't necessary.  Anyone believe this statement?

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