Cable and DSL services provide "always on" connections for the PC. This convenience of not needing to dialup each time you access the Internet, however, also allows hackers to access your system. Installing a home firewall can protect your system from unwanted intruders. Firewalls act as gate-keepers to restrict the traffic passing between your PC and the Internet. Check out the Zone Labs Zone Alarm (http://www.zonelabs.com) program and Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall 2001 (http://www.symantec.com). These are two popular firewall software products designed to protect individual PCs from intrusion.

Formerly part of Computer Currents, Stephen J. Bigelow's Computer Advisor column has been resurrected on computeruser.com as a daily tech tip column. Find Stephen at www.dlspubs.com.