/agree @ smoothwall, here's how to install it. get an old pc 200MHz<, boot from cd, enter, enter, enter, enter, enter, it works

. the advantage to having a separate device for firewalling/routing is:
1. it takes the load off your pc
2. eliminates the need to have a firewall on your pc at all.
3. is far more secure as it's a purpose built device and not running on top of a block of swiss cheese.
4. if anything will speed up your connection

to add to point 2, you still need virus protection on your pc. i recommend Avast Antivirus as it's 100% free for non-commercial use and in my experience has out performed symantec products for the following reason. Viruses attack systems, all systems have virus protection, what is the most popular program people run? and the last question, what is the first thing a virus is going to try and disable?... Symantec, McCafey etc. are the most targetted products around. the other advantage to running avast is as it's offered free for home use hackers tend to leave it alone for ethical reasons, open-source/freeware. i'm not saying it's not targetted, just a whooooole lot less than the rest

my 2c