Hi jenna23,

The Norton Smart Firewall integrates with other components of Norton Internet Security.  The firewall's Automatic Program Control is able to consult the local Norton trusted file database, as well as the antivirus engine, if necessary, for whatever information it may need in order to determine the legitimacy of any program that is requesting network access.  Additionally, the Smart Firewall is employed by the Norton Network Security Map to enforce the Map's network and device trust levels, which control the communications that your computer has with other devices on your local network.  Those are two advantages that the Norton Smart Firewall would offer..

If you are using WIndows 7, the Windows Firewall will be totally disabled whenever a third-party firewall, such as Norton's, is installed.  This is a Windows feature that prevents the accidental running of two firewalls at the same time.  Therefore, should you wish to use the Windows Firewall you would need use a security program that did not include its own firewall, such as Norton Antivirus.  If you have Norton Internet Security installed, the only way to use the Windows FIrewall would be to remove NIS completely.