New cable access & viruses

[bigmo66]

I just had RoadRunner installed a week ago. The speed is great, but I have a security concern. Out of what seems like nowhere, I have had Norton Antivirus 2000 catch 3 viruses while I am using the PC. Once right during a game. I was not using a firewall at the time. My question is, Is it possible for someone to infect me at will? Now I understand concerns about cable and constant connectivity. Thanks

[SoWhat]

It is possible. I have rr in Oklahoma and one pc so I do not have file and print sharing enabled and ms client for networking disabled.

[haze]

I advise anyone on a constant connection (Cable/DSL) to always run a firewall of some sort

Test your security here
https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

Even with sharing off you might be surprized at what you see!

[SoWhat]

Even with no firewall my ports are closed
when using grc test. Please note that site does not scan everything nether does dsl reports unless you pay for it.
I suggest to anyone and a friend to get a nasty port scanner and probe each other. Then I know whats really open with no surprises. Everybody should know what program opens what port and go from there.
Being careless in not knowing whats open in relation to your software is dangerous. Know
what port is left open after you use a program. An example is napsters software doesn't release the port it uses. The port
I worry about the most is 139. I guess its
just a matter of preference on determining
what anyone thinks is safe.

[SoWhat]

I forgot to mention get some software for your friend so they can actually try to hack your system.

[SoWhat]

I should take my medicine more often so I do
not respond mentally challenged.
grc and dsl reports are good places to get
tested! Sorry if I offended anyone who looked at my reply.