On Fri, 09 May 2008 21:58:57 GMT, Poky wrote:

> On Fri, 09 May 2008 04:30:45 GMT, Straight Talk <b__nice@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>>Better to avoid installing malware in the first place (it's actually
>>not that hard).
>
> So how do you post here since you unplugged your PC from the internet?

It's not to difficult to do, Poky
Security software manufacturers tend to overstate their product description
to instill fear and uncertainty; After all it's all about the $ almighty.
Please step back and try to remove the advertisement hype from your mind.

In WinXP the most dependable defenses are:
1. Do not work as 'Administrator'; For day-to-day work routinely use a
Limited User Account (LUA).
2. Secure (Harden) your operating system (OS).
3. Keep your OS and all software on it updated/patched.
4. Reconsider the usage of MSIE and MSOE.
5. Review your installed 3rd party software applications/utilities;
Remove clutter.
6. Don't expose services to public networks.
7. Activate the in-build firewall and configure Windows not to use
TCP/IP as transport protocol for NetBIOS, SMB and RPC, thus leaving
TCP/UDP ports 135,137-139 and 445 (the most exploited Windows
networking weak point) closed.
7a. If on high-speed internet use a router as well.
8. Routinely practice safe-hex.
9. Regularly back-up data/files.
10. Familiarize yourself with crash recovery tools and re-installing
your OS.
11. Utilize a real-time anti-virus (AV) application and vital system
monitoring utilities/applications.
12. Keep abreast of latest developments - Sh!t happens...you know.
The least preferred defenses are:
Myriads of popular anti-whatever things and staying ignorant.
Educational Reading:
Security @ home
http://home20.inet.tele.dk/b_nice/index.htm

Good luck