internet security

http://grc.com/default.htm

Download and install either Zonealarm http://www.zonelabs.com/, or Tiny Personal firewall http://www.tinysoftware.com/home/tiny?s=6413933073554232398A2&&pg=tpf_summary

Sygate personal firewall is also free:

http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-10105-100-8593035.html?tag=st.dl.10001-103-1.lst-7-1.8593035

The firewall software mentioned are very good free devices, however I have found at least one of them (Zonealarm) is not very customisable. I have found that Norton Internet Security 2002 is an excellent tool for all round security, it provides Anti-virus, Firewall, Ad Blocking and a very useful Parental Control facility. Obviously this comes at a cost and a lot depends on what you want to protect yourself against. I am not discounting any of the other suggestions, but it all depends on your budget and your security requirements. Good Luck. H.

Zonealarm pro is cutomizable, more so than the free version
I use a d-link residential gateway (hardware, with a built in firewall) $80 US, and I have ZA pro (dual firewalls so to speak)
the d-link has a log so I can see who is trying to access my ports, listed with ip addresses and ports attempted

Apart from the firewall & anti-virus, you may take a look at this page:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/current.asp

Microsoft is maintaining a security bulletin, which informs you on the security flaws recently discovered and the available patches. Search for the patches for Win 98, Outlook, Internet Explorer and all M$ software you may run.

I personnaly don't like Norton, and a very good Internet security equivalent is eZ-Armor:

http://www3.ca.com/Solutions/Product.asp?ID=3243

Well, we have presented you some programs that you MUST have:


- Firewall.
- Anti-virus.
- Protection against malicious code in web pages.

Part 1: The basics:
http://www.microsoft.com/insider/internet/articles/security.htm

Part 2: Advanced issues:
http://www.microsoft.com/insider/internet/articles/security2.htm

Hello all,
I am Computer101, a moderator from Experts-Exchange and also an expert within this topic area. This uestion has been open a long time.  What I am going to do is allow feedback from the questioner and xperts.  If it is not resolved, I will delete or accept an answer based on the info I have been given, Experts, feel free to offer input.  I will monitor these questions for a period of 5-7 days and come back and evaluate.  I will have another moderator (who is also an expert in this topic area) look at the question also to ensure we do the right thing for this question.

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sorry i've been late accepting your answer
THANKS!