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I don't use personal data on the net. At least not more than absolutely necessary. In other words I just figured that it should not be put out that way.
I even quit ordering my checks on-line.
Actually the best way is not to give out your personal info at all on the net.

Kinda like when I decide whether or not to leave tools over night in a rental house. If I can not afford to replace them, I do not leave them. The same goes for my info. Not on-line anymore. Old fashioned is always best, until all you netters make it impossible. I also prefer checks.  ;)

Nah not really, I am just about as fast as credit users in line. And I have a damned good receipt when I get done for IRS reasons, court, or what ever else pops up.
Also probably why we think differently on the subject, now to make your day. I like windows firewall myself. (FREE) 

Told ya I would make your day. 

Security depends on the needs actually.  ;)

Any info you would find is already in the phone book on me, other than my e-mail.  ;)

I run a firewall, I think more than anything else, to humour the suggestions and norms of internet users today.  However, a firewall works based on rules, set by you and the vendor alike.  Unless you monitor these rules and the firewall log, and know fully what traffic is hitting you, then you are not totally protected.  Any hacker can get past a firewall by spoofing the information of a server that is being queried by an application allowed by the firewall.  In fact, this activity may not even be logged by the firewall, depending on how sensitive you have that set. 

I believe that a netstat monitor (like Netstat Live) or packet sniffer (like Wireshark) are the best way to monitor what sort of traffic you are receiving.  A visual trace program (like Neotrace) can be useful to map out the traffic.  Also running a registry monitor (like Active Registry Monitor), along with Google, will protect you against spyware.

Using a router is a great idea, as it is additional protection from attackers online.  However, as most routers are wireless, they have their security flaws as well.  It has become far too openly accessible how to exploit a wireless network.

I think the best advice to internet security is as Tommy suggests: play it smart.  Don't get too comfortable with securing sensitive information online.  And be very careful about letting your children, if you have any, online.  Kids are on computers all the time these days, and often know more about certain things than their parents.  However, kids tend to check out sites online which are dangerous for harmful spyware/adware, which in turn can bring in trojans and viruses.  The parents will be all "Well, I don't know how all this junk got in here."  Educate your kids on internet dangers, security, and for the love of God, make sure you know what they are doing on the internet -- for their sake, and yours.

Damn close  ;)
 I do shop on ebay, but I always pay cash when I pick it up. I know somethings are not always that close, that is the shopping part. And some prefer paypal, too bad, if I am close enough they will wait til the weekend.
Bought 2 cars that way on ebay.

Banking, hell no. My money is much more important than that, isn't yours??

I won't be doing money transfers on my own computer, if that is what you meant. News, LOVE those lazy forums  . Reasearch, look up houses for rentals, what ever I want. But evidently others prefer to put their life on it. 

I worked too hard to make it that easy for someone to take it away that easily. And lazy would refer more to doing banking on-line. Don't have time to stop by the bank?? Walmart, Best buy, Circuit City, Sams club, etc...always has deals. I shop by phone. And I always know what my balance is, and I am not too lazy to drive to the store.  ;)

How do you figure it is 20 years back to be secure and smart??

I also sleep just fine knowing they cannot hack into my car when I am shopping or banking. 

http://www.testmy.net/forum/t-16544

I never asked for any keys!!!!!!  What is up with that statement?

No, but someone offered to send you a key.

i have had no problems using zone alarm before i have even used it to bridge halo 2 uninstalling was the easiest part i think with no trace files left on the computer