I have used Shields Up twice to check my security. Worked fine and found one totally open spot and closed it. BUT....each time, I started getting warnings from Earthlink that I showed multiple simultaneous uses. One phone line, one computer....no way I could do that. Then I found out that once I gave permission to Gibson's Shields Up to probe my computer, hackers could ride in right along with him. Had to totally sign up again, and change password. Have you had no such problems with Pitstop then? Because I really like to check, even tho I have Norton protecting me.
Pitstop helps with your IE settings and ActiveX stuff, which it recommends disabling.
It does not probe or sniff or any of the other searches that GRC does.
After this machine got it's new hard drive, I've decided to run naked through the woods, so to speak. No protection whatever, and with a static ip to boot.
Since I don't use it for storing data, documents, pics, or anything else of value - have at it is my new attitude.
One benefit to me is that the machine has run indefinitely with no crashes, no blue screens, and no freezes with eight windows generally open. Wooo Hooo