I think that Windows 98 is pretty stable.
Yes, so do I...the problem is one can't purchase it any longer, and the one I had went with my old computer when I gave it away.
You definitely need a firewall if you use the Internet very much. Zone Alarm makes a free one that is excellent. It's also a must to have virus protection. If you need a free one, there are several pretty good ones on Tucows, CNet and other safe distributors of software. Regarding intrusion type problems from the Internet, SpyBot Search and Destroy is free an excellent (Available just about everywhere).
I have all that and more...Sygate PF (what I use) leaves a lot less mess to clean up in the registry than Zone Alarm (and ZA can really suck up system resources), but ZA is easier to use. Right now I haven't reinstalled the firewall, but our router acts as a hardware firewall, and I have a load of download protection (Spywareguard, Spywareblaster & immunization function as well as bad download blocker in Spybot; Registry Protect and a few others - I used to volunteer assistance at the forums for SpyBot at Net-integration).
I was worried for quite some time, but my first impression is that Windows XP PRO is pretty good.
WinXp is probably one of the best OS that MS has come out with; inherently stable, from what I could see. I can't say anybody I know has had a real xp problem...some very minor things where the settings were wrong, not really the software. If I knew for sure I could 'disable' the "call home" feature I might go that way....
Turn off file and print sharing unless your computer is actually hooked to a network needing it.
I do have a small network here....the other computer is fine.
Set your email program to plain text only with images, scripts, and any other security setting set to high.
No can do....I do a lot of graphic type stuff which I need to send/receive by mail, but I do have excellent protection for my email. Stuff might come in to the ISP server, but it doesn't get downloaded if I don't want it (FrontgateMX mail filter RULES!)
Always virus check every program before you install it, even if you get the software from a reputable and trusted place like CNet and Tucows.
Yea, that's for sure.
Always check for updates to your operating system. It's usually free, and new security holes in operating systems are found all the time. The same would be true of major programs you use on the Internet (i.e. browser, email/news).
Yeah, it's a good idea, although if you've got ME, I'd hesitate to recommend that. An "unupdated" ME actually runs smoother and with less problems, but it's hard to keep IE properly updated unless you do the updates.
Be extremely careful with instant chat programs. Use the highest security settings, read reviews, and see if you want to take the risk of using them.
Don't have any....downloaded 1 (Trillian) which will work with the most popular ones (like AIM, Yahoo, MSN, IRQ etc.) but unloaded it because I don't use chat. I only have one person I neet to contact that way....so I just use AIM express (no download of programs). Haven't been to a "chatroom" in a looong time....way too many trolls.
These are all excellent suggestions, Tom. Thank you. I have already tried pretty much all of them...having volunteered and learned at an internet/computer security site for almost a year I am reasonably "net savy" and "security conscious", it's just this darn computer. I've got no problems with the other one.
Looks like it might need a trip to the doctor....
Gracey
