Here I am redesigning my home network, installing the OS's, building my server. As I sat there, trying to figure out what firewall I liked, something kind of just hit me. One of those mini-revelation things. I guess I'm just kind of slow in figuring this out, but on an internal network, what is the need for a firewall or at least a packet filter? I like packet filter firewalls but as I was playing around with CHX-I, it hit me. What do you need a firewall for on an internal network? Granted you need something in place. But for what? Am I really worried about being port scanned, hacked into, etc.? Why would I be? I'm not offering any services on my laptop or my work PC. So what do I need a firewall for? The only thing I really have to worry about are any programs/services/etc. dialing out, something that might "phone home", or at the very least, something that makes a connection to somewhere that I do not wish for it to make.

I dont like application firewalls very much ie. ZA, etc., but from my thinking, that would be what I am looking. Do I really need a packet filtering firewall? Does anyone really need any type of packet filtering firewall or any other type of firewall for that matter on an internal network ( well besides one that stops applications from making unknown connections )? All a user/admin has to really worry about is about what connections are going out from a PC, not one that is coming in.

Does anyone have any recommendations? I really like CHX-I so I guess something along those lines but for stopping any applications from dialing out.