@skiwillgee, not long agao i changed over to dsl myself and had the same question going through my head so i asked an IT in the usa about it.

His words were, No matter how long you leave the modem router connected to the net no one can hack your computer if the computer is turned off. The ports on the computer will be closed so there is no access there for them to even try getting in.

Now i use dsl router which has a built in firewall, i also have win xp firewall running on my computer and that is it. On the wife's computer she uses win 2000 pro OS and runs Zone alarm as well as the router fire wall. We have both left our computers on for over 48 hours a couple of times and we have had no problems.

You can believe this or leave it if you like. No computer is safe, you can run all the firewalls you want and spyware scanners plus Anti-virus programs. If you are going to get hacked, a virus/trojan/worm or even spyware/malware it will happen
I run VET and Avast anti-virus and Ad-aware,spybot, windows defender and i had 7 Java exploits hit my computer no more than 40-45 minutes ago..

Now the only way you will ever stop anything like that happening is, stay off the net..

PS: Mate just get a good firewall, not nortons cause of a flaw in it..Just grab Zone Alarm set the security on medium on it if you use xp have the firewall on that running at all times and Bobs your Uncle :) By the way best firewall i have ever used and still would if i could afford it was BlackIce deffender. Even Hackers rated that at #1 for 3 years running in 2005.

Message edited on: 03/21/2006 05:35

I have opinions of my own -- strong opinions -- but I don't always agree with them.