Dear Chris, in regards to this Old message to Karl Wismet?.

 > Once upon a time, out on MARS. While reading the mail, wispering this:

 > KW> HC> CM> Howie Coombe who is interested in hearing from
anybody on the

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

 > KW> good advice in general...

 > KW> but:

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

 > KW> his preference is to not go on the internet... as such, what good will 

 > KW> unless . . . he meant he'd prefer a means of protecting himself

 >  This is the meaning that I took his query to be oriented towards.


Actually i meant both meanings.

 > Protected BEFORE connecting.


Protected before, during and after connecting would be ideal.

 > What he could do,


Yes?.

 > from a "Protected" computer,


Of course.

 > would be to download the free ones,


Aha.

 > to install before connecting,


Aha.

 > and then,


Yes?.

 > if desired,


Yes?.

 > grab the more powerful commercial versions or the nicer to have,


Yes?.

 > add-ons to flesh out his protection.


Aha.

 > I wouldn't connect an XP based machine without first installing SP1  
       > (purchased from MS,


Aha.

 > via phone call...) and using at LEAST the built-in firewall until he
can     > replace it with a more powerful version from someone else,


And how much could this cost me interms of time, money and aggrovation?.

 > as suggested in the above prior response.


Aha.

 > KW> paper that addresses just this issue - unfortunately it's on the

 >  You are right,


Of course he is, he is the moderator.

 > so much info is on the WEB,


Yes it is.

 > but can be SO dangerous to try to get to,


Yes it can.

 > without being protected,


Indeed.

 > first..


Absolutely.

 > Chris Martin, The MARS Station BBS * WCE 2.1G1/2419 * ... For sale:  
       > Hourglass for timing Windows.


A Big Hourglass?.

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