When connecting to the internet, your computers and networks become open to intruders and virus attacks. The following are suggested methods for maintaining security.

Anti-Virus It is always recommended that you have an up to date anti-virus software installed on each computer in your network. Most anti-virus software today has an automatic update feature that will contact a website and download the latest anti-virus updates as they come out. This is a necessary feature due to the overwhelming number of viruses that are created and released each day. The most well known and effective anti-virus software available are Norton and Mcafee. Both choices have the automatic update feature. (Always remember to install your anti-virus software last. When installing new programs, disable or un-install your anti-virus software, install your new programs, then re-enable or re-install the anti-virus software.)FirewallThe fire wall will prevent hackers and many viruses from entering your network by blocking hidden access points called ports. There are two types of Firewalls, Software and Hardware. Software Firewall - ($30-$70 per computer) Stops intruders from entering a computer. This is a cheap fix for small networks. It must be installed on each computer in the network and the price for licence's and add up quickly for larger networks. Windows XP comes with a built-in firewall software which works pretty well. Norton Firewall can be purchased for other operating systems and is one of the best on the market.

See - http://www.norton.com,www.symantec.com/product/ Or www.mcafee.com/myapps/default.asp Hardware Firewall - ($60-$1600 Try eBay) Much more expensive and far more effective. One hardware firewall will protect an entire network. It will prevent an attacker before he can see your computers. See - www.firewallguide.com/hardware.htm Other Options - ($40-$1000 Older/Used routers are much cheaper, try eBay. Verify that they have NAT or PAT before purchasing.) For Cable, DSL, and other high speed internet connections; Many home and small business routers have Network Address Translation (NAT) or Port Address Translation (PAT). These protocols can be configured to allow your computers to connect to the internet through a single Static IP address. Attackers will be able to see your router but not see your network. Routers are not known to get viruses and can be locked with passwords to prevent attacks.

Useful Information - AOL is the largest internet service provider and provides a huge target for hackers and viruses. Dial-up connections are slow and least likely to be hacked, but still open to virus attacks.