Best Firewall / Anti-Virus ( Hardware or software types )

[Vulcan]

I'm not saying it isn't good. It's just that if you want to make good use of it, you need enhanced OS and for the TZ series, that doubles the price. If you want support and upgrades, you need support subscription.
TZ series is also a tad aged in comparison with some competitors. Hardware is not sized properly to accommodate OS capabilities (needs faster CPU and more memory). CLI is kinda lacking too.

If we stick to products from llama's article, and if I'd have to chose, I'd pick zywall USG100 over TZ180 anytime.

The TZ is at the end of it's life, the TZs are several years old now. Enhanced ships with the 190 as standard. Support subscription... it extends the warranty, you get access to a proper call center, and sonicwall are very active in feature upgrades to firmware (if you look at the early versions of oS3 compared to OS4 or OS3.9 theres a lot been added in over the years).

The hardware is fine, I use a TZ190 at home (the 180 is the same engine), I run wireless, servers, vpn's.

Zywalls ok, but it's still an OEM'd firmware layer, which is chalk and cheese if you ask me. Most people I talk to who've used zywalls have moved away from them or use them without the l7 stuff.

[2bighorn]

From my experience, zywalls are rock solid (both hardware and software) and the best bang for the buck in this price class (bellow $2k).

On the enterprise level it's another story...

[TequilaChaser]

I believe this blog, that reviews software firewalls, mentioned that the 3.0 version of Comodo does not have any leak protection if you turn off Defense+.  Comments from Comodo seemed to sort of imply this as well.  The blogger said this isn't true for prior versions of Comodo.

http://blog.scotsnewsletter.com/2008/01/20/do-not-rely-on-comodo-3s-basic-firewall/

On another note: does anyone besides me feel a bit queasy using "free" software?  I can't shake my suspicions that "free" software is hiding something not nice.    I can't see why they give it away.   I gravitate towards paid software- but then maybe I'm naive as it could also contain bad stuff.

I actually had previously read this blog/URL link.....after Spatula recommended Comodo........ only reason I did not go with Comodo was trying to find an older version than their current one.  The Reason it is free is kind of along the same principle that ZoneAlarm offered their Regular Free Zonealarm...... they get their revenue from larger companys/corportations/Enterprises  providing security along the lines of what Llama/Vulcan and 2bighorn have been discussing.......

I have went ahead and purchased Outpost Pro and am using it with my NOD32 program........I did download  Comodo and using a USB  drive ( Virtual Machine ) to play around with different combinations........I have always used Spybot S & D but do not have it in the startup, only load it up when  I do a  either weekly or sometimes monthly scan/clean up o double check things....

I have picked up alot of great information from everyone who has contributed to this thread, is much appreciated.......

[Anodizer]

I realize you're probably got all the info you want, and I skipped what everyone else posted (sorry)..
So, some of this info may be redundant...

Here's my set-up:
I use Antivir as my antivirus...It's free, it's made in Germany, has a great heuristic engine, updates several times a day, and I have never once gotten an infection with it...  I've been using Antivir for about 5 years and never an issue, ever...
I also use Spybot (which I see you do as well)..
AVG Antispyware WAS pretty good, but now AVG has rolled everything into one and it's not nearly as good..  AVG antivirus was never that good in the first place, IMHO..
I think the main reason I have not EVER had an infection is due to using Spyware Blaster...  Spyware Blaster is not something that runs in the background..  It makes changes to your registry which block spyware or malware from getting in in the first place, sort of like the immunize feature in Spybot, only better...

I also use to apps that clean out temp files and tidy up the registry...  CCleaner and Cleanup!.... 

Give these a shot...

I actually had previously read this blog/URL link.....after Spatula recommended Comodo........ only reason I did not go with Comodo was trying to find an older version than their current one.  The Reason it is free is kind of along the same principle that ZoneAlarm offered their Regular Free Zonealarm...... they get their revenue from larger companys/corportations/Enterprises  providing security along the lines of what Llama/Vulcan and 2bighorn have been discussing.......

I have went ahead and purchased Outpost Pro and am using it with my NOD32 program........I did download  Comodo and using a USB  drive ( Virtual Machine ) to play around with different combinations........I have always used Spybot S & D but do not have it in the startup, only load it up when  I do a  either weekly or sometimes monthly scan/clean up o double check things....

I have picked up alot of great information from everyone who has contributed to this thread, is much appreciated.......