Actually ZoneAlarm and other firewall software distribution companies are working night and day to resolve the *outgoing* holes in their firewall software.

One might think that it is only the incoming data that needs attention and protection, but nothing could be further from the truth...

Trojans and Spyware, to name a couple, work from the inside out. Yes, they do have to first get in, but many come in without notice (on the back of things you allow), by way of trusted hardware (software onboard chips), software, and many other unsuspecting way. Major companies are secretly loading all manner of Spyware applications behind the scenes when their software is installed. Games and other applications are becoming increasingly loaded with applications that gather and send (private) data out the ports, without the users knowledge or permission.

Firewalls were invented to keep data from going out and data from getting in, without digital (and/or human) permission. Many companies need to protect sensitive data from getting out. Many of us do not want others to know what we do on our computers, or what files and data we have, without our expressed consent.

*ALL* firewall software is intended to help with both incoming and outgoing data security.

The real threats are now in programs/processes that you have given your firewall permission to leave your system (and apparently even those you haven't). If one gives a chat program permission, it can then execute internal code to send out whatever. [ZoneAlarm has some code in place to help with this, but they are currently working on smarter methods.]

Many major computer security firms and techinical media organizations have recently reported on the growing threat of Spyware, Malware, and others.

The following may be of further help:

What is Spyware

Wired on Spyware

GRC.COM

Ad-Aware Spyware Removal Utility

Get That #@&* Spyware Off My Computer!

Steve Bass's Home Office: Beware: Sleazy Web Sites, Spyware Underhanded Web sites, spyware, and how to protect yourself from them.

SpywareInfo.com

Cheers!