Update: More Spyware insight and THANKS everyone

[I-SIG]

Y'all,

I think I finally have my machine back on track. I went ahead and bought SpySweeper and am searching for the best deal on one of those Tosh wireless cable-modem/routers/firewall. I have SP2 and all it's updates up and running along with the free Norton AV (updated of course) until I make a longer-term decision on what AV to run. I'm considering right now the freeware frpm Cnet that has been mentioned, ACP or AVP or whatever, sticking with the Trend Micro PC-cillan, and the E-Trust AV software like we have at work. Thanks for all the help and advice.

TIP: Speaking of SpySweeper, I had to shut it down to get Windows XP Pro SP2 to properly download and install. Just something to keep in mind.

Also, besides the Tosh wireless cable-modem/router, can some recomend another one? I would like one with 802.11a or g for the higher data rates, rather than 802.11b that the Tosh has. 256bit encryption would be nice too.

Wes

[steveinaz]

The PCX is pretty fast. I downloaded 28megs of windows updates in about 2mins when I built my last computer. When I was running dial-up it took me an hour to download ICQ (5.2 megs at the time).

[Disc Jockey]

I bought the Linksys WRT54GX2 about a year ago and have been very pleased with it. It's more expensive than most basic routers because it uses the MIMO technology to improve it's range - which I wanted.

If you don't need extended range, anything 802.11g by Belkin or Linksys should work well. Data rates on the 802.11g are going to be limited by your connection speed rather than the router so shouldn't be any problems there. Look for WPA2 capability for the 256 bit encryption and keep in mind that any wireless cards will need to support that also. WPA basic is pretty much backwards compatible

Then just be careful what you download and install. Free screensavers and the like are notorious for installing spyware also.

DJ