----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Harsha Godavari 

  <<   Would you mind elaborating on "must install a Firewall", and Black Ice.  Are there others like it?  >>

  When you are on-line - whether it be dial-up, cable, or DSL you are vurnerable to having someone "attack" your system.  You are much more at risk for a "stealth" attack if you are using cable (and probably DSL) because you are always on-line.  Not being real computer savvy, I will leave a detailed discussion to the "professionals" -- there is a wonderful article, called "In Pursuit Of Internet Intruders" By Sal Ricciardi, Smart Business -- Protect Yourself Against Internet Eavesdropping.  You can read the article at:  http://www.zdnet.com/zdhelp/stories/main/0,5594,2398494,00.html
  There are indeed other firewall programs but I chose Black Ice for my firewall for two reasons:  (1) I asked the technician from Cox@home who installed my computer cable what he recommended for a firewall program.  He said that every technician at Cox that he knew all used Black Ice.  (2) Easily installed and to use and understand.  

  I know it works.  I think we there are about 10-15 intrusions into my system every day (I was astounded at first).  Many are from hackers looking for systems that have been compromosied - some try to steal passwords install a virus, reformat your hard-disk, and so forth.  Most are harmless, but Black Ice tracks them all.  The worst attack I've had was from someone from who has an Asian-Pacific isp -- they tried to install the "Pretty Park" virus on my system - Black Ice detected it.  I've been very, very happy with my Black Ice firewall and CAI virus protection programs.  

  Anita Faulkner

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