Re: Alternative to windows firewall.
 

Yep, I would block everything at the router level.

Re: Alternative to windows firewall.
 

it dont matter what ports you close ... if you download a suspect app and install it then any firewall is as good as a chocolate fireguard (with a few exceptions of hardware firewalls).

cant remember off hand what the service is called in windows, but it basically lets any port open when an app requires it.. it also talks to routers. so you have to shut that service off in windows and routers.

as preference zonealarm free is quite good, but as all things in the wonderfull world of computing ... it only stops the script kiddies.. the real pro's will get past anything.

if you have sensitive data that you want to protect then use a computer that's not connected to the net.