Anonymous

London England

Consultant

Many of my friends have already given up their ISP connections because of mentioned issues.

I use both a PC and two Mac's at home, keep the software up to date, use a router with NAT and the included Firewalls of SP2 and Mac OSX, avoid free software, P2P networks and ISP provided e-mail.

Keeping software and Virus DAT files up to date is now a simple task for users of one or two computers and just requires a little discipline.
I have little or no SPAM, no malware, spyware etc and not a single virus has yet gotten through.

If readers are unable to provide this discipline, the safest route is to buy a Mac and subscribe to a .Mac account for e-mail and a whole bunch of other goodies including Virex which will look out for PC virus files as well as anything Mac specific that come up from time to time. Some of my friends have done so and are amazed at the result and ease of transition. They are also much happier for their children to use a Mac.

If readers make online purchases try to use a bank such as Lloyds TSB who provide secondary on-line personal verification associated with card(s) used (Clicksafe). At a minimum these services will defy fraudsters who use automated techniques and hopefully prevent much else.

PS

(I usually permit the display of my name. In this instance I prefer to be someone else).