You guys, the Windows XP firewall is the absolute most effective firewall there is, when you fully understand how firewalls work.

What XP does, is has certification for everything which is safe, and blocks out everything else.

All you do when you install programs, is give each program you need, access. So, you get a popup choice to "unblock" the program.

For people with cable connections, I've got a Motorola Surfboard, with a button to lock out everything in standby mode.

When you have Windows XP, you don't need to worry about a firewall anymore. Also, a few months ago, there was a Service Pack 2. This has a change in technology, which the earlier verion of XP fell vulnerable to.

If cable is not possible in remote areas, how about DSL?--Of course, if I remember, even DSL requires a close proximity to your ISP.

Concerning popup blockers, Internet Explorer 6 has a built-in popup blocker. So do Yahoo and MSN toolbars.