Dear Kurt, in regards to this old message to Chris Martin.

 > -=> CHRIS MARTIN wrote to HOWIE COOMBE <=-

 > HC> This is a short off topic message from a Windows XP User by the name 

 > CM> Best way, is to buy a copy of one of the leading brands of Anti-virus

 > good advice in general...


Yes it is.

 > but:


But?.

 > CM> Buy or download an effective Firewall program, such as Black Ice

 >  his preference is to not go on the internet...


Yes it is, prefferably.

 > as such,


Yes?.

 > what good will a firewall do him?


That is a verry good question butmight i suggest one of the possible
answers is justin...?.

 > a firewall is a device/program that controls the passage of traffic
across   > network interfaces - if he doesn't connect to an untrusted
network like the  > internet it seems like it would be a waste to use...


Good point, it would, if, but if not?.
               
 > unless . . .


Yes?.

 > he meant he'd prefer a means of protecting himself *before* going on
the     > internet (seeing as how there are worms that can affect a
machine within     > *seconds* of being connected)...


Which i could have as you you are correct.

 > in which case there's a paper that addresses just this issue -       
       > unfortunately it's on the internet (the irony) and it's a
pdf...             > http://www.cablemodemhelp.com/xpsurvivalguide.pdf
...


I am glad i like irony.

 > i'll see if i can't get an ascii transcription of it to post...


Thanks, so did you have any success?.

--- FLAME v2.0/b