Precisely.
With all the malware and port scanning going on across the 'net, anyone not hiding behind hardware ( and maybe software ) firewalls is a fool, or maybe uninformed.
One attack, and all the conniptions you have to go through to correct it, will make a believer out of you.
And ditch Internet Exploder. Seriously.
Even that old copy of Netscape you have lurking on "coasters" around the house will attract less garbage.
Here's my Universal Help File of links:
If are using zone alarm it may slow your PC. Try Outpost Firewall http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost or Sygate Firewall http://www.sygate.com/ both have FREE and Pro versions and are heads above ZA.
Misc.
IE Spyads SpywareBlaster Spyware Guard
Windows Update- you must keep updated, it is the start of a secure system-
get all CRITICAL Updates
Things you want(Still Free)
I use Firefox PR1 and IMHO, beats the sox off MS Explorer. Life is good with tabs. Click the link and give it a try.
Ad-Aware
Spybot S&D
Misc.
IE Spyads SpywareBlaster Spyware Guard
Windows Update- you must keep updated, it is the start of a secure system-
get all CRITICAL Updates
Things you want(Still Free)
I use Firefox PR1 and IMHO, beats the sox off MS Explorer. Life is good with tabs. Click the link and give it a try. Ad-Aware
Spybot S&D
Mike Lin's Homepage and get the Startup Control Panel and Startup Monitor tools.