Solved: General Security Questions

[John Burns]

I am running Windows XP and Windows ME on my two computers. I have Symantec Norton Anti-Virus installed on both and keep both current. I also have a home network hooked up through a Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless Router. Every on-line test for security that I run indicates "stealth" mode for every port. So far I have never had any virus on either computer, and very little problem with Adware - only a little from RealPlayer.

My question is twofold:

1. Do I need an additional firewall in addition to the one built into my router - which seems to keep them in "stealth" mode?

2. Do I need some sort of program to deal with Adware - even tho I don't seem to have a problem yet? I never let Gator install when they try - lol.

I keep my virus definitions updated and run virus scans, regularly, run scan disk and defragment regularly, and try to keep the systems cleaned up on a weekly basis. I also have Window Washer installed on both, which is used daily.

Appreciate any suggestions anyone can make in this area. Thanks.

 

[$teve]

you have no probs................only use one firewall,yours sounds like its doing the job.

"spybot" is prefered to "adaware" (until the next version and you still should have both)
http://beam.to/spybotsdhttp:
"spywareblaster"
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/spywareblaster.html
"spywareguard"
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/spywareguard.html
all good to have...keep with the updates.