Thank you DavidR, I will check out the links. On the subject of virus-infection; I would like your opinion on something a friend said the other day as you seem to know what you're talking about. This friend suggested I get a hardware fire-wall since a software fire-wall allows an intruder access way up to the highest levels in the OSI structure (to the 5:th or 6:th layer). What's your opinion?
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Well I don't know where they get their information as the firewall hardware or otherwise doesn't control access to so called higher levels, presumably they mean permissions and that is controlled by the Operating system (not the firewall) in two ways.
If you log-on using an account with administrative privileges by default any malware that came through would inherit those same permissions (again nothing to do with a firewall).
If you log-on with a limited user account there is such a thing as privilege escalation normally taking advantage of a vulnerability in software (out of date OS, etc.), again outside of the control of the firewall.
A hardware firewall unless it specifically states it doesn't have outbound protection.
Any malware that manages to get past your defences will have free reign to connect to the internet to either download more of the same, pass your personal data (sensitive or otherwise, user names, passwords, keylogger retrieved data, etc.) or open a backdoor to your computer, so outbound protection is essential. Guess what, the hardware firewall couldn't do a thing about it as it is a request originating from the computer so would retain the permissions of the users account.
What is PITA? I suppose from the context it has something to do with generating fear/concern where it really isn't warranted, but I'd like to know.
By now you have had the acronyms explanation of pain in the rear
A belated welcome to the forums.
