Those leaktests are one of the biggest scams I've ever seen. Yeah I know its important for a firewall to not allow things out that shouldn't but I think its way more important for it not to let in things that shouldn't be. There are firewalls out there (comodo for example) that claim to be the best because they stop the most leak tests but in reality the program is so buggy and finicky that its worse then any virus that your going to get in terms of annoyance level. Yet people spout how its the best because of all the leaktests it passes.
(Almost all the major software firewalls suck now. Its not just comodo that blows)
I'm completely over the idea of software firewalls. They are all more trouble then they are worth.
Just turn on the windows one or even better go buy a cheapo $20 router.
The whole "HIPS" thing is a croc too. Yeah I know "detection based prevention is flawed and blah blah blah" but if you leave your protection down to the user then thats deffinitely less secure in most cases. Plus the software is really annoying, buggy in most casses, and confusing.
I think there are so many of these buzz words going around that most people don't know what to do.
It kills me there are people out there that spend more time "securing" their computer then actually using it. They spend more time creating "virtualizations" and "image back ups that can never fail" then actually surfing the web. Of couse you aren't going to get viruses because you aren't actually using your computer for what it was intended! If windows actually required you do all of this crap just to stay virus free then I would jump in with the linux freaks because then I would actually save time/annoyance. In all truth the whole computer security market is turning into a big scam. Keep people scared and confused and they will keep throwing out the bucks.
Update Windows
Secure IE or use another browser
Install an antivirus and some spyware detection program
Quit doing stupid crap
Thats it!
And I didn't intend to turn this into the biggest rant ever. The words just poured from my finger tips.