if your on a private network with no outside connection, you don't need any networking security, unless you want to protect your systems from yourself. Ideally, you should connect your internet connection to your Mac and set it up, so your Mac becomes the router. The UNIX's Firewall that's built into Mac OSX is more efficient at protecting you from outside invasion than any add-on software firewall out there. Basically buying a third party software means one thing... Waste of money.
I don't know where you get your information Zero, but it's incorrect. And if Norton is giving out this info, then they are false advertising and it's illegal. Because it's misguiding the public into buying their software, for security features that are simply NO THERE!
Whenever Apple releases security patches, they also amend firewall permissions and rules. If your worried about your secuity, you can switch it on. Very simple to operate but don't be fooled... just because it looks simple it's not worth using. Everything on the Mac is designed to be idiot proof. Not like window's where you need a PHD just to install a cross networking hub... have you seen the books out there for Window's networking?
