Hi, Laporteans! Hope you're having a great weekend.

A viewer named Gary Horvat sent me some info this week on a new Internet
firewall and security application for Windows 98/NT/2000. It's called
ZoneAlarm and it's free for non-business use from

http://www.zonelabs.com

I've been using it and am very impressed. It's transparent and apparently
effective. It's already detected more than half a dozen sniffs at my system.
I've been looking for an inexpensive, inobtrusive, and effective security
program for my home system and this seems to fill the bill. It passes the
test at ShieldsUp with flying colors.

http://www.grc.com

Now not everyone needs this kind of security. As you know, I'm not convinced
that there's a cracker lurking at every turn. But for those of us on cable
modem/DSL and other full time connections to the Internet, some precautions
are necessary. Using strong passwords, turning off file sharing, and running
an up-to-date anti-virus are all most anybody needs to do. But if you feel
the need for more, this program seems to do the job.

If you do try it, let me know what you think.

Leo