If you have the extra hardware, and if you like playing with Linux, you could try a Linux Router Project.

I used one for awhile made from an old AST 486 I had lying around. I set up a switchbox to use one monitor and keyboard for my LRP box and my PC. You don't even need a hard drive in it. It boots from a 1.44 floppy.

It was an ironclad firewall but I took it down because the case took up desktop space.

Check out [url]http://www.linuxrouter.org/[/url] or do a search for "Linux Router Project".

Depending on your skill levels and what you're trying to protect a Linux based firewall will be head and shoulders over any consumer hardware firewall.

The biggest issue with hardware based firewalls is they don't change with the threats. If a weakness is discovered in their IOS they're exploitable.

Some government agency called the NSA has published a guide on how to compile a secure kernel for Linux. There are dozens of firewall applications that will run on the Linux box available for free.

I use a top of the line firewall product at work but a rather simple software application as there's little to protect because of the way I do business at home.

The Symantec Firewall/VPN Appliance 100 runs $350 and is pretty good. Netgear makes one that's half the cost if money is an issue.

I like a packet filter firewall backed by a stateful inspection and an intrusion detection system.