It's a good idea to test your online vulnerability at somewhere like Shields Up LINK

This is what I get... (NAT router and Zone Alarm)

Your system has achieved a perfect "TruStealth" rating. Not a single packet — solicited or otherwise — was received from your system as a result of our security probing tests. Your system ignored and refused to reply to repeated Pings (ICMP Echo Requests). From the standpoint of the passing probes of any hacker, this machine does not exist on the Internet. Some questionable personal security systems expose their users by attempting to "counter-probe the prober", thus revealing themselves. But your system wisely remained silent in every way. Very nice.

Seems to reset the link each time it's used, I googled it and ran test, but can't post link as it's not found when check the link I just used.

Thanks Fuzzy, always looking for programs/services such as you link.  

Thanks, good catch DR.Guy,

As far as the the NAT enabled devices are concerned your right, except they are closer to a Smart Switch then a Modem. Ther are in fact hard programed for very specific connection properties. If they have old "Modem" layer 2 devices, Most National Broadbamd providers now provide layer 3 devices with a limited routing cabability. I recemntly poled the Providers like Time Warner and Verizon, and others, they have all more or less went to layer 3 devices and Customers are being upgraded daily, Just call your Broadband provider and ask if yours is the newer layer 3 device or if not they will provide a personal Firewall or security package. They want you business.Time Warner and Verizon have a free Package of Apps for their subscribers. I was simply trying to provide some user's with limited funds a cheaper solution then spending alot of their bucks on 3rd party apps, I have customers that are just totally confused by most of the Geek hype

The antivirus app is a personal preference and I was only stating that the Ten plus years as a Security Specialist, Certified by Symantec and Microsoft, That I found McAfee failed to catch legitimate Trojans and Worm infections better then 30% of the time, to me that is to much of a Gamble. but there products are always improving.

Avast and AVG have been running neck and neck as far as their rankings as Personal Antivirus solutions for past several years.

MS Defender is not a resource hog at all, for an active AntiSyware tool, Sorry but your just wrong on that note, Especially compared to 3rd party active monitoring tools. and if it logs a known safe program or file as potentialy unsafe, and you know it is safe, just allow it permanently and your all set. Point is it's FREE!

In summary I was only wanting to share some of my realtime experiance with the "USERS" that would like to have some of this info from a Professional point of view.

I never had a prob with microsoft antispyware app slowing me down that goes for symantec antivirus too..lol..that don't mean it won't for others,i can't remember whether it was zonealarm firewall or the avast antivirus but one of em made a noticable difference in my surfing speed by slowing it down,it was like the phishing filter had been turned on..lol.. nowadays it's windows firewall & avg free,i quite often surf without antivirus & antispyware turned on,tho i can afford to i spose since i have a back up image just in case.

My fav free realtime spyware app is spywareterminator,if your looking to try something new give it a whirl.

WWW Link

Two words for you - Too Bloated...

Hey Fuzzy some just do not get it, their a bit thick ya know, and Cranky   

For those of you who may not be aware if you use Norton any of their products the anti-virus, Norton 360, whatever, you can actually remove/uninstall with a tool that was released by Norton. I have used it several times and it works very well. If anybody would like it, just leave some feedback and I will apply a link directly to it...Happy Holidays you all !

I have been using comodo firewall..it seems to wok well .. cant figure how for it not to accept pigns tho..

You need to edit that link xscorpx, one http: too many...takes you to an unwanted site

ZDNET has these ten tools listed, Might be something there that can help keep your PC more secure.
WWW Link

Thanks xscorpx, but I prefer to monitor my PC, as these types of Apps usually take up CPU cycles and Resources to monitor your system, Also they tend to open ports on your PC to the WORLD WIDE WEB, But I will be looking at this improved version of Secunia PSI. The Personal Inspector, I do not care for the activeX online Scanners.   

That uninstaller can 'permanently' disable the Windows 'BIT' service...and is a bitch to recover from.  I'd seriously suggest you avoid it like the plague....hence NOrton AV likewise.

And please...it's 'you're' not 'your' so many times in this thread it hurts....