David is right about his reply.
The tests, scan tests like grc, they test only inbound protection. That is most important and what firewalls were first intended to do.
Leaktests are another matter, I never cared to do those, but with avast proxies, I guess Sygate's results would be not so good.
They are if malware is installed in your computer and wants to get out.
I have been told that web shield only allows known browsers out, but cannot be sure. Anyways a program like processguard should cover what to let out.
I let Internet Explorer once out, it is running.
Then I start another instance of IE, PG still asks me if I should allow it.
So it seems like a strong protection, against any program starting, not just internet.
But agreed, there is a loopback hole in Sygate, so without a HIPS like PG, you are loosing outbound protection.
Not sure RamblingRose if you should use SPF 5.6, it is easy to tell Win XP SP2 security center that you are controlling you firewall with 5.5 running. Then it won't bother you again.
There is nothing more in 5.6 "beta" and what problems you have had now are sure from other reasons. Some other firewall installed in your computer same time or remains there, etc.