Any real "expert" WILL recommend the use of software firewall IN ADDITION to the use of a hardware firewall such as a router or a computer set up to act as such. Thinking that a hardware firewall is better or worse than software is a *****, simply because the two work in conjunction with eachother, not as alternatives to eachother.
NOTE: People, please stop using the term hacker to refer to crackers
A hacker is a computer enthusiest, a cracker is a malicious user who wreaks havok and breeches security for fun, the script kiddie being the most common species of the cracker family.
the news media have twisted and confused these terms long enough, its time we put an end to this senseless slander.