If you use a dial-up connection to connect to your computer, it is being attacked about 10 times per minute. If you use high speed broadband Internet, then your router is being attacked at the same rate. Your router acts as a firewall and, if programmed correctly, will stop most of these attacks from getting past the router and into your network. With dial-up, you don't have this barrier between your computer and the Internet; your computer is very vulnerable.

If you are using Windows XP, make sure your firewall is turned on. This will act as router firewall, but is still not as secure as the router. Firewalls and routers protect against outside attacks, but they can't help against the intruders you let in. A firewall is like a heavy-duty front door on your house. The attacks keep hitting your front door, and your door holds them back. But if you open the door and let them in you are in danger.

You are opening your door every time you open an email with an attachment or when you visit harmful websites. Just because an email with an attachment came from a friend does not know that it is legitimate. When a website causes your browser to give you a warning, prompting you if you want to allow an event, don't just answer YES, read the warning and make sure this is something you want.

Anti virus programs will protect you from emails with these dangerous attachments and websites with the secret files that download onto your computer while you browse the site. Anti virus programs protect you where your firewall can't. Running your computer without anti virus software is like sleeping with your front door unlocked, or maybe even wide open.