-> WC>Initially logging on as root gives you ALL priviledges
-> WC>and access to the computer as well as anyone savy enough to surf
-> WC>on in and place rootkit onto your system.

-> WC>At that point anyone anywhere essentially owns your machine and could
-> WC>exploit it with any sort of illicit activity leading right to your
-> WC>doorstep.

->  I thouhgt a GOOD firewall was in charge of preventing another form
->  taking over your machien. And speakinjg of that IS thate such a thing
->  as a Good Firewall for LINUX??

Sure but just operating as a user without all the super
root privilidges gives you more security than Windows.

You just add user "name" as root and give yourself as user
sound card, modem and printer priviledges.

I've those simple commands written down.

Log in as that user creating your password and for all practical
purposes you're as snug as a bug in a rug.  

I just recently switched off the virus echos due to
the endless pages of Windows trojan and virus vulnerabilities.
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v3.0pr5