I also had ZoneAlarm muck up my network access.
Unless you're very novice, don't know what you're doing, or just plain dumb, you should not need a software firewall, if you have a hardware firewall.
Common sense, combined with prudent internet practices, will prevent most spyware from infecting your PC.
[This message has been edited by UALOneKPlus (edited Nov 20, 2003).]