Hi again, It occurred to me that I should explain the reasons for all these steps. The hardware firewall makes your computer essentially invisible to the outside world. While there are still ways to get around a firewall, it takes effort. Most of the creeps will give a few cookbook tries and then move on.

You want to pick up a hardware firewall/router first thing if you don't have one. One side connects to your DSL modem and then you'll have 4 or more ports on the other side. Pop over to Circuit City or Best Buy and you should be able to grab one for under $50.

The software firewall protects your computer from problems on your own local net. Let's say you're running a small business and a visitor plugs an unclean laptop into your network. The software firewall gives you protection from that event.

Next thing is to see if you have a software firewall. I'm assuming you're running PCs (since these problems are almost nonexistent on a Mac). If you're running WinXP, you should have it built in. Just make sure it's turned on.

Virus software protects you from yourself. There are all sorts of ways that viruses make it into your machine, but most of them require your own intervention. You open a bogus email, run a bad program, visit a trick website. Even with incredible diligence and discipline, you can still get fooled.

Then purchase some virus software. At my job, where Windoze machines are in the majority, we use Macafee. I think Norton have taken their eyes off the ball a bit. Make sure all email-scanning is turned on, as well as scanning of removable media. The software will have the means to periodically update itself. Make sure you take advantage of that feature. Also do a full system scan every once in a while. Actually, before you even install it you should boot from the CD and scan first.

Finally, make sure that everyone using a computer at your location is sufficiently paranoid. Never install free software from a friend. Ad-blocking software, free screen-savers and such are often the distribution point for mal-ware. If you're looking for free stuff, you're better off checking a reasonable source like download.com. A good rule of thumb is "if you don't really really need it, then don't put it on your computer".

The main point is that viruses are just the nose of the camel. There are all sorts of terrible things that can happen to your computer. The virus is the domain of the archetypal snot-nosed brat with brains. The other stuff is increasingly a tool of organized crime.

I was recently visiting my brother in NC. He's a bright guy, but not a computer whiz. His Windows98 computer had been on a cable modem for 3 or 4 years, unprotected. By the time I got to it, it had been completely enslaved and was blasting out spam and viruses for creeps unknown. I only had time for a short visit and couldn't completely clean it up. It would have taken days.

Michael

Thanks to all who answered my query. I just got Norton Internet Security 2005 at Costco - $54.99 plus a $30 rebate. It seems to have the features I need. Thanks again. Kim Hyatt Architect 1849 East 1300 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84108 801.631.5228 kimharch@msn.com<mailto:kimharch@msn.com> serius est quam cogitas

Joe, Not sure what sort of rebates you do, but I have probably done 10 or 15 a year for the last 10 years or so, and I have always gotten my money. Occasionally it took them a little longer than I liked, but in general, it always comes through. Whenever I send one in, I keep copies of everything, with the date I mailed it, in a rebate folder, but I have never had to use my copies to get the refunds. Any chance that someone else in the household gets to the mail first, and forgot to tell you that they came? Kim, "what Michael said." :) I was going to give you the same advice, but he beat me to it, and said it better. It never hurts to have a router in the path, even with software packages such as you bought. Good luck! Jo At 03:59 PM 10/18/2004 -0700, you wrote:

Kim, Let me know how you do on the rebate. I haven't shopped there but rebates I've sent in from other stores on other products have NEVER resulted in even a reply, let alone actual moola! -- Joe

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Joe, I send in around 30-50 rebates per year, and I have never failed to get one. Occasionally I have to write another letter, but they have always come through. When I say "I" I realy mean my wife. She takes care of all that stuff. I just have fun with the goods. Brent --- Joe Bauman <bau@desnews.com> wrote:

Hi Jo, I've sent in rebate forms for various computer products, such as a Chinese language course and either a printer or printer supplies, and never had a response. -- Best wishes, Joe

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