i don't know exactly what is the best cause when i use firewals it slow down my computer but alot of my friends using the software zone alram and they say that is a good software
i got with both in network software is also important as well as hard ware s if u can make both things secure use anti virus and firewall for you network
i don't know how hardeare can not protect. just know that we can make a special store in hard disk to save important information(boot system, ghost file...)
hardware firewall also known as an encrypt swicth . it works like usually swicth but the different is it has built in microchip that contrl the data flow from client to server or vise versa,n only the correct recipient will got the data packet , it is great to reduce the hacking problem but cery expensive
for 128 port swicth u may spend $560