Kilted MAC-Head here :mrgreen:

20+ Years IT also though so Blu, you are getting some goodj windows advice. Use a software firewall (ZoneAlarm is good) and if you have broadband use a router with built in firewall (Linksys to name the brand I use). If the router has wireless get a copy of Networking for Dummies and set the wireless security levels at the highest settings. It can be a pain to generate and set up the security keys but it's worth keeping the kid next door out of your network.

On my windows machines I use SpyBot Search and destroy and Adware SE - Personal addition for spy / add ware removal. You'd be VERY suprised how much of that is out there. Firefox as a browser or Opera perhaps. My windows machines are all company owned so I have the company standard Norton Anti-Virus from Symantec so I can only say if you don't like Symantec then try McAfee.

Good Luck.

Wow......Auld A. Bucky Kat on a PowerMAC G5! That could be very scary