Internet Troubles - Can Any EN World Computer Techies Help Me?

[Byrons_Ghost]

Depending on your ISP, your DSL modem might have some hardware protection inside it. If this is the case, you could get by without a software firewall or a router.

With your firewall off, visit this site and run a basic security scan. If all the ports come up as blocked, then you're fine leaving Norton disabled, provided you keep basic internet security in mind (don't download unknown attachments, screensavers, etc).

If, on the other hand, there's some ports listed as unblocked, then you'll need either ZoneAlarm or a router.

 

[Bront]

Norton software is generaly junk. Some ISPs offer some firewalls and and anti-virus software for free.

My suggestion is this. Go back to using the windows firewall, and buy a router.

A router basicly puts a network block on incoming traffic, as it hits the router and then is sent to your computer if you tell it to (for internet browsing, or with programs that use ports like most bittorrent clients). It ends up acting like a firewall for the most part.

Now, anyone who realy wants to get on your computer won't be stopped by that, but they'd have to target your. Passive intruders aren't going to get past that.