as follows:

XP Pro, DSL Connection.

i was wondering how i can restrict and secure my box virtually completely. i like to use NAV, and Sygate Personal Firewall. also Ad-aware (latest). thats pretty much a clean install and those are the first thing on....

my question is mainly directed at port control. would it be easier to get a router/hardware firewall.... aswell as forementioned, or what programs give me absolute control over ports open and closed..... if there is such a program, otherwise i do it manually.

and another question is what ports do you recommend to close either, temporarily and only for xx program, or closed permanently.??

Any help would be great.. thanks..