Originally posted by Steven J Lowe
Thanks for replying. I have norton antivirus autoprotect running and sygate firewall but have no choice as i am on broadband. It only happens now and again so it is not the end of the world but i just didnt want to damage my graphics card.
On broadband, you can pick up a Linksys hardware firewall/NAT/router with 4 ports (for other computers, X-Box, PS2, etc.) for $65
here. As for running NAV all the time, you could switch e-mail clients to Eudora Pro. It is almost virus-proof. It blocks all ActiveX and other junk and when you try to open an attachment that is a word doc, excel doc, exe, bat, scr, etc. it prompts you TWICE. I love it.
Originally posted by Jav400
You could purchase a modem like the Motorola Surfboard. It has a standby switch so that you can turn it off when you are not there. Information about the newest one available is located at Motorola.com
I'm not sure how this provides any additional security. The most likely time to get hacked is when you are online and actively generating traffic.
The horror stories of people getting hacked into usually involves them running Windows 2000 Server or Windows XP in the default settings (IIS running, Outlook Express actively encouraging viruses/exploits to run without even double-clicking any attachment, etc.) or having run NetMeeting (even once!) or any other program which exposes your PC.
Then the victims usually went on some kind of chat board and started making some noise and getting people mad enough at them that they then try to hack the person.
I'm not saying it's right, but what's the expression? "Don't write a check that your body can't cash?"
Anyway, I thought you got the modem to try to eke out some more speed from your connection?