it does take a little getting used to and letting the program learn, it will pop up and ask you do you want to let such and such connect to the internet you will likely know what is asking because you are trying to use something that needs access so in those cases say yes, if it is something that needs to access it regularly like your antivirus check mark where it says remember this so it does not ask each time. Do not give server rights some things will ask but it is not necessary once you say no to server rights it will next pop up asking for access, that you can allow. If it is something you do not recognize asking then say no and see if you can determine what it is, if you had some type of malware that is trying to phone home you would not want to allow that access. I prefer mine to pop up and ask each time with some of the rarely used stuff I like to know what is connecting. When getting zonealarm or any other free firewall or any program actually be very alert during the install period and uncheck or do not allow the addition of any toolbars or extras, Zone alarm unfortunately now does try to include a toolbar with the free version, you do not want that toolbar. and if you have problems or questions just ask. When something like generic win 32 something ask for permission say yes or you will not be able to connect to the internet, that is one to check mark always allow. Yes as grandms said with cable you have a direct connection and with no router in between you and the internet that even more dictates the use of a software firewall. The benefit of a router with built in hardware firewall is great but I use both on my windows machines, actually my linux has guarddog firewall built into it so I even have one on linux. The link I had provided the main reason I do refer that link is that there are such good instructions and pictures for someone new to firewalls.

you need to tell us which version of windows you are using before we can really answer that question. If using Vista or windows 7 it is a decent firewall, however using a stand alone software firewall usually always gives you better protection and settings. Is your computer behind a router? most routers also have a hardware firewall in them which will give you some extra protection. Having both a software and hardware firewall is the best.

Sorry, I was talking about an XP desktop. I managed to get it installed without having to accept their search and toolbar. I went to the website forums and there were complaints about not being able to install without accepting their terms. Someone posted a way around it and I tried it and it worked. When you run the installer, if you do not check the two boxes for the search and home page, the 'accept' button will not work. If you try 'custom install' it still won't work without checking the two boxes. At the bottom left of the screen, under their name, there is a small dark line which says 'skip offer'. I never saw it as it is almost the same color as the background and tiny. A nice person, on the website discovered it and posted the solution. Worked perfectly! I hope this helps anyone trying to update to the latest version. Thanks for all the help, Jane

I did a quick Google on the Kerio configuration. It sounds as if you need to place the websites that generate the error into the exception list. Here is the text that I found using Yahoo Mail as an example (you would of course type in *.www.whatever website you want.com: "Double-click the Kerio Personal Firewall icon to open the firewall configuration. Click the Web tab on the left. In the Site Exceptions tab, click the "Add" button, and enter *.mail.yahoo.com for the www server address. Yes, you've read this correctlyÂan asterisk, followed by a period, then mail-dot-yahoo-dot-com. Click "OK." Click "OK" to save and close the configuration. Here is a link that might be useful: Is My Kerio Personal Firewall blocking access to websites?